So here we are: 

2012.

Now I know a lot of  people around the new year have
spent time making resolutions to finding solutions to
those things that weren’t quite so right in 2011.

A new year -

what better time for a fresh start, right?

Well, my optimistic friend -

let’s ignore the statistics that show how many people do

NOT keep their resolutions, and never mind those nasty

numbers that show a third have given up before January

has flipped it’s final page. You and I will keep our blinders on

as half of those “other guys” fall out of the Resolution race !

But, before you dig in those new cleats -

I’ve got to ask you this question:

What’s different?

OK, I lied.  There are several questions.

Yet they’re all going after the same answer:

~ What’s new about this year?

~ What’s changed from last year?

~ What will happen this year

    that didn’t happen last year?

~Why will 2012 be so different than 2011,

    and did you say the same thing in 2010 about 2011?

If you find your brain stuttering and stumbling for an answer,

you’re not alone.  I mean, let’s face it – simply because

we turned a page on a calendar did not give us magic powers,

did not produce a winning lottery ticket, nor make us

smarter, better looking, wittier, luckier, or funnier.

Flipping the page from 2011 to 2012 gave us nothing

that the day before didn’t have or lack.

So now that I’ve completely let the wind out of your sails,

allow me the great news that you just read and probably missed.

Flipping the page from 2011 to 2012 gave us nothing

that the day before DIDN’T HAVE OR LACK.

I am happy – ecstatic really, that you honestly believe

that somehow 2012 will be THE year where things will finally

be different and that THIS is going to be YOUR year to shine.

Because that says you have hope that it can.

That’s the spark.  That’s the first step!

Yet I want you to be crystal clear on this:

2012 will not bring you anything more than you bring to it.

The same brain and brawn that didn’t see your resolutions

through last year are right here with you in 2012.  Nice.

Welcome back.

Again, the answers to those questions I asked earlier

are going to open up doors for you if you answer honestly.

Because if you do nothing differently,

you will join those 50% who have failed and/or given up

on their New Year’s resolutions before July comes calling.

If you do the same things you did before

and follow the familiar patterns you know so well,

Why expect 2012 to bring you anything extraordinary?

YOU need to be extra UN ordinary

to make the extraordinary happen,

because if you keep doing what you’ve always done,

you’ll keep getting what you’ve always got.

Something to keep with you, and then I’ll let you

get back to keeping your New Year’s resolutions.

and how you are being.

The numbers on a calendar do not make a year,

and moments in our lives are not marked.

Each come to us as the other -

to see what we make of them,

and what we are made of.

I wish you a very Happy New year,

and hope you don’t stop at wishes -

but stretch yourselves to create

not only a great year,

but a great Life…

~Rob