MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 The following was written by a friend, Blair Moreau, the HEART Center Manager at one of my hospitals.  I pass it on to my OH Men's Forum friends with a wish of the Merriest Christmas to you and your families and all the BEST in 2011...Mike

Happy, successful, fulfilled individuals have a secret, a secret that drives a great deal of people crazy. These people have learned or understand how to live their best life now. They make the most of the present moment and welcome new opportunities with open arms, and thereby enhancing their future.

 

Others end up going through life with low self-esteem, focusing their thoughts and actions on the negative. They often feel inferior as well as inadequate and seem to dwell on the reasons why they can’t be happy.

 

Some people put off their happiness until some future nonexistent date. Unfortunately and tragically, “someday" never comes. Today is the only day we have that is a guarantee. We can’t do anything about the past, and we don’t know what the future holds. But we can live at our full potential right now at this moment.

 

To do this and in the spirit of the holiday season, I want to present you with some gifts. Gifts that you cannot physically hold, but will hopefully provide some deep thought of change; gifts that can be used throughout your life.

 

The first gift is the gift of Life. The best of your life will be the day on which you decide your life is really your own. No apologies or excuses, no one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift of life is yours, it is an incredible journey, and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. Once you take on accountability this will be the day your life really begins.

 

The second gift is Freedom. Allow yourself the freedom to grow and expand your mind. Take on the habit of saying yes to your true potential. Think of all the reasons why you can and will excel at something great.

 

The third gift is the gift of Dreams. Dreams are the substance of which life, hope, love, accomplishment, and excellence are made. They are the picture making power of your imagination where all great things are created. Respect your dreams, believe in them, and bring them to life.

 

The next gift is the gift of a Goal. You don’t have to take life the way it comes at you. Change your dreams into goals, then your goals into plans. By doing so you design your life the way you want it. You live your life on purpose, instead of by chance.

 

The fifth gift to you is the gift of Action. Without action, your dream, goal, or plan has little meaning in the world. Second-guessing and indecisiveness are the enemies of brilliance and preparation. If you feel you have made a good decision, have faith in yourself, believe in who you are, and have confidence to move on. Move forward and let it go.

 

The sixth and final gift is the gift of Mistakes. Whenever you start something new, make as many mistakes as rapidly as possible in order to learn as much as you can in the least amount of time. Mistakes are great, learn from them, research them; use them to propel you forward. Always fail yourself forward, because we are all going to fail at something.

 

May you take these gifts forward with you on this journey we call life. Thank you for all that you do for those we are called to serve and may God watch over and protect each of you.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and ALL THE BEST IN 2011 - Mike

That was really great, Thanks very much for sharing.

Dittos

I've never been good at living for TODAY. I know I need to get better at that. I printed this off and put it up in front of my computer. Now I just need to stop rushing around for tomorrow and quit regretting about yesterday and make time today to read it!

Dude

Thanks very much for sharing.