In general, I don’t formally make resolutions.  I may say I want to lose weight, workout more, make more money, travel more, more time, more and more (you know the story of american abundance and materialism) but what I actually need is LESS! 

So this year I have two major priorities (in the spirit of simplicity).

1. Eliminate any and everything that is counter productive to my life purpose, passion and priorities. i.e. if its not about my family, growing my businesses or my being (spiritual, physical and creative) I am not doing it! 

And sorry folks this includes idle hours spent on the web that aren’t productive for any of these purposes!

2. Be consistent. I have tons of notes on business ideas, concepts, hobbies, activities, contacts, etc…that see 3 minutes of fame from me.  I will continue to take note of these (one of them has to be a goldmine and I am welcome to share them for a small fee) but I will only bite off as much as I can chew – including my approach to blogging.

I have started to journal (again) because not all people close to me are comfortable with their own -ish so I can’t share everything with you but i will share the highlights.  I also am committing to sharing something – however simple – at least once per week on this site. It is pitiful that I have notes of random thoughts and topics listed in my crackberry notes but they have never found their way to this medium… i have got to get them here!

So that’s it!  Two things that in reality aren’t so simple to achieve, but instead of saying I am going to use 30 lbs that I might not, that I am going to make $30k/month that I probably won’t, I’d rather focus on those two things which will have a profound affect on my life and the lives of those closest to me!

What are your priorities for 2009???

I was cleaning my email box and came across this forward!  It was nice, positive, spiritual – all the things I strive daily to be!  It also puts me in just the right frame of mind to think about what it really means to be the co-founder of CHARLY – read: http://thecharlymag.wordpress.com !

Girl, just look at you, with your pretty self. You are so beautiful! Not only are you beautiful, but you have the nerve to be talented and gifted by God. Hold your head up Girl and know that you are loved and appreciated. Don’t give the enemy any place to cause you to have low self-esteem or doubt. You are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made. This is your year to decree it and speak it! 

This is the year of new beginnings. So get your step on Girl, because God is faithful to perform all that He has promised to you! Be confident in Him and His word. The words you speak from your mouth determine your outcome. Why not speak good and positive things over your life Girl? You are not defeated but rather you are more than a conqueror. You have been through a lot in your life and look at you now, just as pretty and as strong as ever! Oh, how blessed you are. Look what God has done and look where He has brought you from.

Begin to bless God and praise Him for all that He has done, and for making you so beautiful! He had you in His precious hands all the time. Your life is orchestrated by Him. He knows you and what is best for you. Believe that He has even greater things in store for you and your family. Girl, get over the silly stuff and grab hold of faith. Seek God as never before. Sure, times are hard, but God is Good! Learn to love who He has made you to be. There is no one like YOU. 

–Author Unknown

Have you ever had similar things happen to you over and over and over again?  For instance, have you worked at several jobs and always have the same “problem” with each of them? Or have  you had many, many friends but each “did  you wrong”?  Do you feel overwhelmed by this phenomena? Like its you against the world?  

If  you answered yes, chances are that you are going through temporary insanity!  Have you heard the ever popular definition of insanity?  It is: To repeat the same activity over and over again expecting a different result!

So, I might have loss some readers by now – because of course she/he is NOT the problem!  But, if you are still with me I am suggesting saying that WE in fact ARE INSANE!!! Now, I am working on becoming more of an optimist – so let’s say we are only temporarily insane, but insane nonetheless. 

Now what are we going to do about?  BECOME THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.IDENTIFY ONE THING YOU CAN DO TODAY THAT WILL AFFECT YOUR TOMORROW. BE ABOUT YOUR PASSION. LIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE TODAY, SO YOU CAN LIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE TOMORROW. SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DO WHAT UNSUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DON’T. These are all popular, semi-popular methods to cure the insanity.  

What’s insanity to me is knowing and believing all of those statements and more, but continuing to do the opposite.  A year ago, 6-months ago, even a week ago (this morning?), I found myself utterly frustrated with certain situations and often asking myself – “how did I get into this mess”. From an unruly house, a SPECIAL marriage, happy but could be happier kids, mounting debts, okay but not great business, and enjoyable but badly paying job – I have known many of these circumstances all too well. 

So my point is?????  Today is different because today I give as much thanks for the hardships as I do for the good times. Today is better because I have heard those same messages in a very different voice.  Today I understand that I can do everything that I want to and that everyone in my life just won’t understand it. Today I will not become overwhelmed by life, I am going to overwhelm others lives’ with my passion. 
My passion is my purpose and I recognize it each time I am able to connect people with information that will make a positive impact in their own lives. I do this sporadically, but TODAY I recognize that there is a power working within me and not against me.  Each opportunity that I receive to share knowledge, connect people, and promote helpful resources is an opportunity for me to do HIS work! Today, I will conquer my fears – everyone won’t like it, everyone is NOT my friend, I CAN make money doing what I love to do, I CAN turn my circumstances around beginning today and I will learn and teach others from my mistakes. Today, I recognize that I am not hearing the same quotes, learning the same lessons for nothing. Today, I am focused on doing what I was put on this earth to do!  

What about you? What are YOU going to do to end the insanity TODAY???