It’s a New Year, 2006!
        Wow…..where did 2005 go?  It seemed to pass through all too quickly and here we are with opportunities for new beginnings, resolutions for growth and development and the freedom to not just pursue them but to follow through with action to get results.  It is time for breaking through old habits that no longer serve our purposes and develop new ones that will.

        I had the opportunity to go to a martial arts competition and watch the son of a close friend go through his paces to qualify for his next level of color belt. What an experience!  I was introduced to a new world of competition that demands concentration, discipline, control and mastery of the self on multiple levels.  Students and teachers of all ages participated.  There were different exercises, each presenting their own particular challenge.

        One challenge, that of breaking multiple boards is especially fascinating.  To accomplish this feat you must do a great deal of practice and that includes learning how to focus through and beyond the board to the space behind it.  You must see the end objective, know you can break the boards and follow through with a disciplined hit, directing your physical energy through the wood to break it. This is a phenomenal example of true breakthrough in a physical sense.

        These same disciplines can be applied to any area of our lives that we want a breakthrough in.  Focus, direct attention, concentration, belief in self and applied thoughtful action with purpose.  

        We all are working towards our own personal objectives.  It is up to us to be clear, specific and personally responsible for persisting in whatever applications of talent, practice, learning and follow through are needed.  The size of our objectives isn’t important.  Breakthrough is achievable for all of us, regardless of the obstacles we may see in the present or even in the future.  The important thing is to remember we make our choices.  PS, personal responsibility is absolutely required.   It is our responsibility, ours alone, to do the planning, the work and handle the results.

        In preparing for this New Year 2006, it is always good to take time for yourself and think through what you want to leave behind.  As you think through what you want changed, write down your thoughts.  If you have never done any journaling this is a great time to start.  It really can give you a real perspective of yourself and what your priorities are, as well as dealing with fears and challenges. Your thoughts may become clearer about what you want and what you don’t want. Write it all out.  Write down on a piece of paper all of the stuff you want to let go and leave behind in your life.  On a separate sheet, write down what you want.

        This next step can be a very powerful one.  Find an ashtray or flameproof container.  Then take that piece of paper you have written on stating the items you want to let go, crumple it up, put it into the ashtray and burn it. Watch it burn into ashes, knowing that you are starting a clean slate in 2006 with all kinds of wonderful possibilities for change available to you.  As that paper burns you let go of what wasn’t working in your life to make way for what you do want to work in this year.  Once that is done, read the notes you have made for the changes you desire and keep them in a place where you can review them frequently, keeping your focus on what you want. You’ll be pleasantly surprised with the results.

        I wish many blessings to you, your family and friends this New Year, 2006.  May you not only reach for your star but be able to grab onto it and travel the universe of unlimited possibilities.  Donna Seebo