Why is that we start New Year off determined that this is year to get our lives together? This year I'm going to eat better, loose weight, go to Gym, give up drinking or whatever. We start with so much enthusiasm and determination. But some how a couple of weeks in, other things are more important, we run of time or steam and we slid back into our comfortable old habits. But spend a few moments thinking how good you will feel if you actually stuck to your resolutions - if you really did loose those 7 kilos or whatever it was you wanted. There is a big part of you that really does want to be happier and healthier, this year. So what gets in your way?

Is it fear or sabotage? Is it just being more comfortable with your old ways. Ask yourself how badly do you want a 'new you'? Or is it just some pie in sky fantasy that would be nice if you didn't have to work too hard at it.

NOTHING WILL CHANGE UNLESS YOU DO

So if you really want things to change you do need to put some effort in.

While we remain in pursuit of many worthwhile personal endeavors, we must always remember to acknowledge and nurture those around us. Those who need nurturing may be our family or our co-workers; but they may also be those in community at-large.

I have found in my own life, and observed in life of others that we can attract abundance by serving others. The biblical adage, “We reap what we sow” lives on.

We live fulfilled lives, not by seeking treasure or pleasure for ourselves, but by turning our desires and efforts outward.

By so doing, we put ourselves in position to deserve success.

Many of us live what I call a “TV existence.” Rather than giving back to community, and making life for others better, those living “TV existence” live their lives as passive spectators, always seeking rest and comfort.

How can we fight our way out of such lives?

Start keeping a journal. Leave a legacy to your children of an account of your life. If you record your activities, you will tend to lift yourself off of sofa and accomplish more meaningful works. No one wants to record in their daily journal, “Today I watched following sit-coms….”

Find a need and seek to fill it Look for opportunities to make a contribution to good of others.

On a Monday not long ago, as I took my lunchtime walk around a nearby lake, I noticed a great deal of trash left by weekend recreationalists. I fumed in my mind for ten minutes or so, and then decided I should do something positive. The next day, Tuesday, as I walked, I brought along a trash bag and a stick with a nail on end for picking up trash. I was able to get my exercise, and at same time, pick up a few pounds of trash. My walks on Wednesday and Thursday filled me with warmth and gladness at seeing results of my simple labor.