With the past in the past, the American culture provides a clean slate and many will resolve to live differently in 2012. It is likely that gym membership sales will skyrocket, productivity will increase in the office, personal budgets will be implemented and closets across the country will once again return to an organized state. Each of these have the potential to improve the quality of life, but why stop there? Why not color outside the lines and push to dream bigger than ever before?
Dreaming as a child is limitless. Eight year olds refuse to hesitate when asked the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Then life happens. Our dreams are hindered and redirected. Sometimes, roadblocks prove to be encouraging, such as discovering a new gift or talent. They may even take on the appearance of a sign, standing at a fork in the road that simply states, ‘Go this way!’ Other roadblocks seem to stare us in the face and cause us to question who we are, at the very core of our being. Discouraging words, failing grades or the frustration of not making the team can stand as tall as a mountain. When the strength to make the ascent runs empty, spending time in the valley may be the only option, before identifying another pursuit. The reality is that we will continue to come face-to-face with discouragement. Choose wisely the words that you accept along the way. If you really want it, run. Run with everything in you. When the run slows to a labored climb, just keep moving. Identify cheerleaders and be willing to accept their encouragement. (This can be more difficult than it sounds when the voice of defeat is deafening.)
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks in year. . . do the math and there are 8,736 hours every year that ultimately, are at your disposal. Okay, okay, 8 hours of sleep a night and a 40 hour work week whittles the sum to 3,744 hours. This is still a considerable amount of time! How will it be put to use? Stephen Covey, author of First Things First and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People states the ability to control our situation very plainly, ‘If I really want to improve my situation, I can work on the one thing over which I have control - myself.’
What are you looking to accomplish? Who is influenced by the decisions you make? Is there somewhere you have wanted to visit, but your financial situation has put a hold on that dream? How are you contributing to your community? When is the last time you played your favorite sport? Are you chasing a position within your company or seeking to land a dream job? Is your physical health a reflection of who you are on the inside? How long have you put off taking a painting class? What is the current state of your relationships?
These questions may stir dreams that have been dormant. Write down all the goals and dreams that are worth pursuing or should continue to be pursued this year. Resolutions have become a thing of the past. Maybe losing 20 lbs. is part of the plan, but if it's not linked to purpose or carries with it the ability improve effectiveness, it is likely that it is not worthy of center stage.
Never stop dreaming. Love like crazy. Be courageous. Learn something new. Volunteer time. Take on a challenge that seems out of reach. Dive deeper. Continue to focus on what matters most. Grow. May 2012 be the best year yet!
