I wanted to wish you a prosperous and Happy New Year. May each of you be blessed with caring family and friends and good health in 2009. I am thankful for my community which includes family, friends, business associates and clients. This past year was trying on most of us. However, even though 2008 resulted in loss of income from investments, employment and/or savings, most of us are fortunate to still have our community. Count these blessings because these relationships really matter most. Make a commitment on New Year’s Day to work on SELF…mind, body and spirit. Read, travel and continue to educate yourself; exercise daily to keep your body in shape and your metabolism working at peak; and, take time to meditate or just take some quiet time to let your thoughts flow. Happy New Year!

One of the most inspirational coaches today is Mike Robbins who lectures on personal growth, happiness and fulfillment. He wrote his first book, “Focus on the Good Stuff.” He states that we all have our doubts, fears, frustrations, anger. Acknowledge them. Then, make a list of what you want because our thoughts become things and we can choose our thoughts. Robbins says, “appreciating yourself, others, and life is the most important thing you can do to transform your life, improve your relationships and create the life you want.” I found his message similar to what I want others to know. It’s like getting rid of the negativity and stuff (fears, doubts, all the things others said to us that made us feel badly about ourselves) in your Toy Box, your Shadow, so that you will be able to respond to life rather than react to life, including creating the balanced life that you want.