Well, it’s that time of year when many folks around world are preparing to hail dawn of a new year. This is an exciting time to be alive. I believe 2005 will bring many changes and much growth for all of us.

For most of my life, I faithfully made my annual list of new year’s resolutions in December. And then about mid-January, my list had faded into dark recesses of frustration and forgetfulness.

Sound familiar?

Now I no longer make long lists of new year’s resolutions. I’ve finally kicked habit! Instead, I make short lists of daily resolutions every morning for what I wish to accomplish that day.

Thanks to Joseph, I’ve realized every day is a new beginning, and not just January 1.

Chief Joseph

How often have you yearned for a fresh start in your lives, a new beginning? How often have you told yourselves if only you hadn’t done this or that, you could start anew with no past baggage?

The desire to have a new beginning in your lives is commendable, and we completely understand that. We are not discouraging you from this.

But, for whatever reasons, beginning of a new year has taken on a mystique and power for many of you. And so you make your long, often ponderous, lists of new year’s resolutions.

Then, as with John’s experience, you quickly abandon your well-intentioned lists. And you give up and plod ahead without that energy and joy you felt when you were creating your lists.

The reason many give up their new year’s resolutions lists is they’re too much for you to comfortably handle all at once. You overwhelm yourselves.

And so you “throw baby out with bath water,” as your saying goes.

My first true love was at twenty years old She was much older, yes I was so bold A theatre lover I became Gloria Swanson name of fame Her last performance I think it was ‘Butterflies are Free’, we were impressed A great endeavour this thing she does No mere drama was justly expressed Later on as we undressed I knew my heart was not just me I felt her closeness and accepted ‘We’.