Happy New Year? Happy New DAY!

As this blog article is being put together it is December 29, 2017, on a Friday. Monday will be the start of another year - January 1, 2018.  Let me be the first to wish you a "Happy New Year!"

Well, I may not be the first but it's still pretty early as far as that stuff goes, right? 

Before I get going let me mention that there is a podcast and "video-cast" (vlog?) that goes along with this article that is also available. Just check out and click on the links at the end of the article. 

We recently discussed the importance of "back-tracking" to find out where we got "off track" if we find that we have not reached our goals as we had planned. Hopefully, this will help as we get ready to head into the new year. 

Yet, millions of people will - once again - make their "New Year's Resolutions" without putting much thought into it and then "fall off the wagon" within about a month, maybe two, into the new year. Yes, January 1st marks the start of a new calendar year but, beyond that, it is just another day that basically begins and ends the same way as all other days. 

I'm not trying to downplay the significance of the passing of one year and the beginning of another but, at the same time, I do think that too much emphasis is put on that thought. 

How do you avoid the regret and disappointment at the end of one year and the unbridled (and often "void of reality") plans that people make at the start of another? 

Stop focusing on the year ahead and start focusing on what you actually know that you have before you - TODAY. And, honestly, we don't even know that we have that so, to get even more specific, the next HOUR. 

You remember this phrase, don't you? "As long as there is breath, there is hope!"

Do not despair with the burden of what has not been accomplished over the past year. Understand that, by taking it one day at a time, it is much more manageable to work with that smaller time frame rather than the foreboding YEAR-LONG time period.

Determine that, each day (TODAY), you will do all that you can to make improvement, to move forward in your goals and life and to do all that you can to encourage others. Today! One day at a time. And then, at the end of the day, check to see if you "stayed the course".

It's a lot easier to track your movements in the course of a day as compared to trying to look back over a year (or maybe even two) to try to figure out where you "got off track."

It's also a lot easier to make those corrections and adjustments with this smaller time period.

So, YES, make those goals and plans and start making your move TODAY toward the fulfillment of those goals and plans. Just be sure to do a daily check up along the way and make the necessary adjustments NOW instead of later. 

Make sense? Feel free to share your comments with me. You can do so here but I would prefer to hear from you on the Facebook fan page (link below). 

Happy New Year? Sure. 

Happy New DAY! Even better.

Until next time, whatever you do, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

A New Year - NOW WHAT?

"Here's to chasing dreams and living life!"

 

This quote comes from a young man that I have known since he was a teenager. He posted this on a social media page after receiving many well-wishes on his recent birthday and, after thanking everyone for their wishes and mentioning how great this past year was, he ended with the quote that you see above.

 

I LOVE that phrase and I told him so....CHASING DREAMS and LIVING LIFE!

 

What about you? It's that time of the year again when most people make their list of "New Year's Resolutions" that, usually, will last about a month, maybe two before they are put aside.

 

I'd like to make one suggestion and then hit my main point for this "New Year's Week" article...

     POINT:  DON'T make a "list" of things as a part of your "New Year's Resolutions". Why do you need to supposedly focus on several different things? Why, if you rarely accomplish even one, would you want to add more to that? Pick ONE thing and give it your best to accomplish that one thing in the coming year. The rest of this article will focus on that idea with a little different "slant".

 

I haven't done the whole "New Year's Resolution" thing for quite some time now. However, I have continued to have goals that I have worked to achieve. And, like many others, many of these goals are still being pursued.

 

What I have found is this: The longer it takes you to achieve a goal, the more likely it is that you will NOT actually achieve that goal. Why? Because the longer it takes, the "dimmer" that "spark" becomes that got you going in the first place.

 

Many times there are detours and/or roadblocks that will test your dedication to achieving your goal(s) but, for those of you that are determined, they will only DELAY your arrival.

 

What I'm going to suggest for you is what I am doing in my own life for 2015:

     Narrow it all down to ONE main thing you want to accomplish and then make sure you give it

     your best effort!

 

It's almost identical to what I mentioned earlier but it may have one twist for you, as it does for me.

 

For me, I'm not coming up with a NEW goal or "resolution". I'm actually going to focus on ONE goal that I've had for several years now and, honestly, that I feel I've let slip further away than it needs to be.

 

Make sense?

 

Remember what I said about that "spark" becoming "dimmer" the longer it takes to achieve that goal? I feel that this is what has happened in my life and I see evidence every day that reminds me that I MUST go for this goal in order to bring about real fulfillment and happiness in my life.

 

What is it for you? Is there something in YOUR life that you've had on your "list" but, like me, you've found that you really haven't put as much into it as it requires?

 

Is there something that you are sick and tired of STILL not having accomplished in your life? Isn't it time to finally get it done, once and for all?

 

That's where I am. I have no other goals or "resolutions" on my list but I do have this ONE thing! I must quit talking about it and I must quit simply "planning" for it..."planning" equals "making plans" instead of putting those plans into practice.

 

FIND IT! Uncover it! Dust it off...what is REALLY important to you? Have you lost sight? Have you lost that "spark" and that "vision" that you once had?

 

Perhaps you have learned a few things from the detours and roadblocks. Hopefully you have learned SOMETHING along the way. Detours and roadblocks can be blessings in disguise but only if we learn along the way.

 

I feel compelled to say this, however. Obviously, if your goal is to get married and have 5 kids of your own in the next year then, unless you marry someone that already has at least 4 kids and you and your new spouse have a kid over the next year, that's just not going to happen, right? Instead, why not set the goal of actually taking the time to work on yourself and to also take the time to find the right person with whom you could spend the rest of your life?

 

One step at a time.

 

Whatever you do, remember this: 2014 passed by one day at a time and, now, here we are, at the end of the year. Guess what? 2015 will transpire in exactly the same way. What you do with each day matters.

 

Never forget that and, from my family to yours...

 

 

Future You University   "Like" FYU on Facebook!    Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed 



What IS a "Resolution"?

Here we go again. Many (you are likely one of them) will be composing a list - even if it's just mental - of "New Year's Resolutions" that they plan to keep for the whole year of 2014. This list of "resolutions" usually consists of changes that require MAJOR discipline to make those changes which, also, are MAJOR.

 

Most of us also know that there are MAJOR problems in keeping these "resolutions". Many even joke about the fact that those "changes" (how can they be changes when nothing has changed?) won't last longer than a month or maybe even two, into the new year.

 

Gyms (work out facilities) will be swamped with new clients. One of my brothers started work for a company that had their own gym for their employees and he started right around the start of the year. He could hardly find machines available for his workout due to the crowded conditions. While talking to one of the workers at the gym the worker told him, "Don't worry. Give it about a month and you'll have access to any machine you want." And, he was right.

 

WHY?

 

Why do we do this? Why do we go through this yearly process only to fall extremely short each year?

 

Why do so many do nothing more than make a mental list of these changes that they say that they want to make?

 

Bottom line: we're not that serious about the whole thing! Oh, I can hear some of you almost yelling at me through the computer that you ARE serious and that there are just things that "get in the way" every year that prevents you from seeing your "resolution" through.

 

I also think that many are not serious because most do not understand what a "resolution" really is. We attempt these "resolutions" half-heartily (yes, I can still hear you) fully expecting that we won't stick to them for very long.

 

So, what IS a resolution?

 

Here is the definition of the word, resolve, from dictionary.com... "to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something): I have resolved that I shall live to the full."

 

"Resolve" is the root-word for "resolution". Go ahead and look up the definition for the word "resolution" and you will find a similar definition somewhere in that list given.

 

So, with all of that being said, let me give a few suggestions on making these resolutions which should also help you actually have a little more success at the changes that you wish to make:

 

1. Come to a DEFINITE or EARNEST decision about whatever it is that you desire to change. This would suggest a "whatever it takes" mentality! Too many give up too early and never see success. HINT: Make sure that this goal is something that, even though it may "push" you, will be something that is actually reachable.

 

2. Make a list of only ONE or maybe TWO "resolutions" on your list.

Too often we make too big of a list and do not dedicate ourselves to any of them fully. For example, if you have a list of 10 New Year's Resolutions, how can you be "definite" and "earnest" in all 10 of these? Honestly, you can't! SHORTEN YOUR LIST! Decide what really IS most important to you. Decide what you HAVE arrived at a "whatever it takes" attitude towards and then attack it full force.

 

3. BE SPECIFIC!

"I want to lose weight" or "I want to make more money" is not specific enough. In order for you to determine IF  this goal is something that you CAN have the correct "whatever it takes" attitude about, you must get as specific as possible. One way to do that is to start with your end goal and work backwards. For example, if you want to lose 50 pounds over the next 12 months then break that down to how many pounds per month that would be (4.2 lbs. per month) and then even go further than that and break it down per week by either dividing the 50 lbs. by 52 weeks OR by taking your pounds per month and dividing that by 4 to get an idea. Watch this: if you divide it by the 52 weeks then it comes out to only .9 lbs per week and if you divide your monthly figure by 4 it only comes out to 1.05 lbs. per week. Doesn't that help you see this goal in a whole new, REACHABLE light?

Do the same thing with money. Again, if you want to increase your income by $20,000 over the next 12 months you will find that this comes out to $1,666 per month or (divided by 52 weeks) $384 per week more. If you are DEFINITE in your resolve you WILL find a way to make this happen!

 

4. Stay away from ALL negativity!

Do not share your resolutions with ANYONE that will not support your decision. Do NOT share your goals with anyone that will say to you with a grin on their face, "Biting off a bit more than you can chew, aren't you?" You may be surprised at who may actually say that to you so, if you get surprised this way, STAY AWAY from that person if at all possible.

Search on the web or the library for books, recordings, articles about how to successfully achieve what it is that you are trying to achieve. BE CAREFUL IN YOUR SEARCH! Yes, there are a lot of people that prey, specifically, on New Year's resolutions.

 

5. DO NOT GIVE UP!

If you have followed the first 4 steps listed, then you should have the mentality in place and the DEFINITE mindset to achieve what it is that you wish to achieve. Will it be easy? Change is NEVER easy but, I do believe that by following these steps it will be "easier" than it has been for you in the past.

 

KNOW THIS: You DO have what it takes to achieve great things in your life!

 

I'd love to hear your response to this article by either leaving comments below or on the Facebook fan page or even directly at mike@futureyouuniversity.com .

 

Until next time, be sure to...

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

 

Mike

 

Future You University     "Like" FYU on Facebook!     Podcast on iTunes     Podcast RSS feed

 

A Special Message...

 

 

Greetings, friends!

My wife, Janan, and I want to take a moment to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas as we head to the start of another new year!

 

Regardless of what your situation is right now - whether good or "not-as-good-as-I'd-like-it-to-be" - I want to encourage you to focus and think about your BLESSINGS during this special time of the year.

 

Instead of spending time focusing on what you DON'T have or what you CAN'T give your children or what you HAVEN'T accomplished this year, I want you to focus on the OPPOSITE!

 

Think of all of the wonderful blessings that you DO have! (Make a list!)

Think of what you CAN and DO give your children! ("stuff" is not always as important as you think it is)

Think of what you HAVE accomplished this year! I can almost PROMISE you that you HAVE accomplished more than you realize. Take some time to discover those things in your life over the past year.

 

Please feel free to contact me if you have trouble discovering those blessings...I bet I can help you find some of them in your life even if you can't.

 

Thanks for your continued support - I never take that for granted.

 

Mike and Janan Spillman

 



Another Year Passed...One Day At A Time

"Another Day Passed..."

Here we are again... the end of another year and the time that so many start looking back and examining the year gone by.

The other day I posted the following on my F.Y.U. fan page on Facebook - ‎"Think about this: Waiting until January 1st to make resolutions for the new year is like waiting until you run out of gas to begin looking for a gas station." - Mike Spillman

That kind of hits me right in the gut like many of you. Why? Because I have done the same thing many times before.

Isn't it time for a change in the way that many of us approach this?

Too many people look back over the past year with remorse and regret due to feeling like they have not accomplished all that they had originally planned. You know, back at the start of this very year that is coming to a close. Those "New Year's Resolutions".

The main title points out something that we might want to really focus on - this year has passed ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Hey, listen, I understand - I really do. I've made so many major plans and have set goals that I have STILL yet to reach and I have beat myself up about those many times before.

But, here's the deal: that hasn't helped me in any way that I can see so WHY keep doing the same thing?

INSTEAD of waiting until the end of the year to look back and determine whether it was "successful" based on whatever measuring stick we have decided to use - WHY NOT look back at the end of EACH and EVERY day to gauge our progress?

Hey, here's another simple comparison that we can make that many of us ALSO can relate to: KEEPING AN EYE ON OUR WEIGHT.

The time to see how you've done on your weight goals is NOT at the end of a 12 month period BUT in shorter increments - sometimes DAILY or even WEEKLY. At the very most - MONTHLY.

Hey, YOU know what happens if we don't, right? That weight will sneak up on us and - what - surprise us? Now, you know that you have to admit that this scenario is a bit funny. Seriously, WHY should we be surprised?

Do you realize that only two pounds a month will add 24 pounds to our weight? Hey, let's get really depressing while we're at it and lay that out over a 5-year period that will add on an extra 120 pounds!

WHAT?

So, you see, the time to check our progress on ANY goal/endeavor is NOT at the end of a year but each and every day, weekly or - at most - monthly BEFORE things get away from us.

Think about that as we come to the end of another calendar year.

Don't fret over the past year but decide now to approach this differently than we have before and let's see what happens.

Here's to your health, happiness and success in the coming year!

And, in the mean time...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Seminar in Searcy, AR. Coming This Weekend

** for more information visit www.MySeminarPage.beep.com **

A Special Message from Mike

Good-bye 2009 and Hello 2010!

Just For TODAY!

"Four Ways to Make Sure Your New Year Is, Indeed, Happy!"

1. CHOOSE To Be Happy
2. Get Your PRIORITIES Straight!
3. Get Focused!

As we close out the discussion on "Four Ways to Make Sure Your New Year Is, Indeed, Happy!" we come to the "magical" part of the equation - are you ready? (Well, you've looked at the title already, right? So you already know what's coming!)

4. JUST FOR TODAY!

Now, again, please don't let the simplicity of this throw you off. Please don't dismiss this because of the simplicity.....Sometimes the PROFOUND can be FOUND in the simple!

You see, here's the thing - don't plan too far ahead in this choice of "happiness" - just do it for today! Too many times we get discouraged when we consider whether or not we can do something for a long period of time. "I'm not sure I can do this for a whole year!" or "I'm not sure I can do this for the next six months!"

But let me ask you this...do you think you can do the following JUST FOR TODAY?

- CHOOSE to be happy!

- Get your PRIORITIES straight!

- Get FOCUSED!

Just for today - think that's something you can do? Sure it is! JUST FOR TODAY!

Now, please understand - this doesn't mean that negative things won't happen to you and that "bad things" won't cross your path. It doesn't mean that all of the negative people and/or forces that normally come into your life will all disappear.

BUT...I do believe that I can promise you this: If you will do these things on a DAILY basis and focus ONLY on accomplishing them on a daily basis - you WILL be happy! You will be able to keep your focus and correct any distractions that have taken your focus away during THIS day before too much begins to take your attention away too far. See what I mean?

So, you see - this IS "do-able"!

Believe you can - KNOW you can!

And, as you go along this journey, never forget to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Get Focused!

"Four Ways to Make Sure Your New Year Is, Indeed, Happy!"

1. CHOOSE To Be Happy
2. Get Your PRIORITIES Straight!

3. Get Focused!

Again - do NOT let the simplicity of these points/steps fool you. Remember, the PROFOUND can often be FOUND in the SIMPLE!

So, let's do a quick recap: first of all, realize that HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE and that you can CHOOSE to be happy! That being said, it's obvious then, that you can also choose to be miserable! Why would anyone do that? I don't know - but I've seen it many times and still can't figure it out completely. So, first and foremost - make a decision to CHOOSE happiness in your life! By the way, if you haven't done so yet - go back to Monday's podcast/blog and make sure you do the lists that are talked about...THIS IS IMPORTANT!

Secondly, it is vitally important for you to GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT! What is really important in your life? How important is it? What is the MOST important thing in your life? Once you have set some priorities (why not make a list of the top 10?) You see, when we try to live our lives in conflict with the important things in our lives, we will always be unhappy and often just plain miserable! By the way, have you done the list talked about in yesterday's blog yet? If not - DO IT NOW! Again, this is important!

So, now you have made a choice to be happy! You have made a list of your priorities after giving this a lot of thought. You now can look at your list and SEE and KNOW what, indeed, IS the most important thing(s) in your life, right?

Now...GET FOCUSED!

The other day I watched the Disney-Pixar movie, "Up". And yes, I highly recommend this movie to you - yes you, even as an adult! Anyway, in the movie (now this is going to sound strange if you've not seen the movie) the dogs have an apparatus attached to them that allows them to "talk" or to have their thoughts heard. It's quite fun to "listen" to them talk about something only to be distracted in the middle of a thought with...."SQUIRREL!"

How many of us are like that? How many get distracted very easily at other things going on around them? How many times have you set out with a new list of "new year's resolutions" only to see them go by the wayside in a month or two?

Perhaps it would be good for us to look at the word, "resolution" and break it down to it's base word - RESOLVE. The verb usage of the word means: "to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine" and the noun usage of the word means: "a resolution or determination made, as to follow some course of action. firmness of purpose or intent; determination."

Have the determination - the RESOLVE - to stick to your priorities! Do NOT allow anyone or anything to distract you from your focus, your determination, your resolve!

Yes, this will take discipline - which most of us lack. Why not work in this area of discipline while sticking to your priorities!

Easier said than done? Yes! But, in tomorrow's podcast and final blog for the year I will share with you the final, secret ingredient of this formula for happiness.

You DON'T want to miss it!

Now, while you think about that...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Get Your PRIORITIES Straight!

"Four Ways to Make Sure Your New Year Is, Indeed, Happy!"

1. CHOOSE To Be Happy

2. Get Your PRIORITIES Straight!

In yesterday's podcast and blog we discussed the idea that "Happiness is a CHOICE!" and that each one of us has the ability to be happy - regardless of our circumstances or the situation. It is something that we CHOOSE for our lives so make HAPPINESS your choice!

Now, let's turn to the second of the four points on how we can make sure we actually DO have a "Happy New Year" - Get Your Priorities Straight!

"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is one of the most famous phrases in the United States Declaration of Independence, and considered by some as one of the most well crafted, influential sentences in the history of the English language. These three aspects are listed among the "unalienable rights" of man.

What are YOU pursuing in the realm of "happiness"? Remember the lists that you made yesterday? What was on your list of "things that will make me happy"? How are you going to pursue all of those different "things"?

Have you ever tried to catch a chicken? That's hard enough but, have you ever tried (or watched someone try) to catch a chicken in a GROUP of chickens? Inevitably, here's what happens: the person sets out to catch one particular chicken but gets distracted when there is another chicken closer and then they start chasing THAT chicken! They keep switching from one chicken to another and usually have no success at catching ANY chicken!

Does that describe you in your "pursuit of happiness"? Are you "following/chasing/pursuing" one thing and then you get distracted by something else and go after it? Some people pursue some sort of narcotic (drug) seeking happiness and they can't find it there. Some others may pursue happiness by getting involved in many different sexual relationships (wow, has this been in the news a lot lately?) and they can't find it there. Some drown themselves in a bottle of alcohol thinking they'll discover happiness there only to find an empty bottle and, often, a destroyed life.

Sometimes, we see this exemplified by those that chase one "new and improved idea" on the Internet after another. The latest fad, the latest "greatest thing", the most recent "get rich quick scheme" - whatever it is, we see some constantly chasing and pursuing something that they HOPE will bring them happiness.

How does one think that will happen? What is it in ALL of these examples that is supposed to bring about happiness? Is it money? Is it simply the "high" from the drugs, sex and/or alcohol? Is it the idea that there is something better than what we have?

GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT!

Maybe today you should make a list of "All the Reasons I Have To Be Happy Today!" and see what you write down.

My thought is that, likely, this will be a list of your priorities.

Regardless of what you accomplish - if you do it at the expense of what/who is important to you, you will find emptiness. We all know the stories of men and women that said they were sacrificing time with their families FOR the family only to find their family torn apart. Really think about this - how much sense does it really make to someone to be told, "I never spend any time with you because I love you and I'm doing this for you!" ????

Sure, there are times that there are small sacrifices to our families that come along and that can be "made up" later --- but pay careful attention to how often this starts to creep in to your life and be very, very careful with your priorities.

Need help with this? Compare the list from yesterday of "Things That Would Make Me Happy" to the list from today "All the Reasons I Have to Be Happy Today!" and see if they are different. Are there any similar or duplicate items on both lists? Here's the bottom line "gut-check" on this question: On EITHER list --- what if you could only have 5 total items from both list COMBINED? Not five from each list - five total. Everything else was to be taken away and you would be left with ONLY those five.

What would they be?

This will give you a pretty good idea of what your priorities are. Now...are you happy and/or satisfied with this list of five? If not - change your list and your way of thinking. If you are satisfied with that list - GREAT! Now gauge whatever you pursue with this list.

Make sure these are "aligned" or "in tune" with whatever you do and this will, indeed, help your new year to be "happy". Why? Because you have made CHOICES on what you have to have in your life! Everything else? It's "frosting" on top of the "cake"!

Think about it - DO THE LISTS to help you really see what is going on in your life and in your thoughts - be HONEST with yourself (there's no one else that you need to share your list with which means there is no one that you need to try to impress) and be HONEST with the results.

Hey, friend - it IS possible for each day, week, month and year to be HAPPY if we so choose!

And, along the way...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

CHOOSE To Be Happy!

"Four Ways to Make Sure Your New Year Is, Indeed, Happy!"

As we now head into the last few days of 2009, I want to put out some thoughts for you to consider as we approach another new year.

We often hear - and/or say - the phrase, "Happy New Year!" around this time of year and yet, so many people are unhappy year after year. Why? Is there anything that can change that mindset? I believe there is!

First of all, get out a piece of paper and write this down as a heading: "What would make me happy!" Now, just brainstorm and list anything that you can think of that you feel would bring happiness to YOUR life. Just go with it. Go on...do it. I'll still be here when you get done.

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Still waiting - go ahead, get finished THEN read on!

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Done? Now, look over that list and put a mark of some sort (check mark, circle, star, etc.) by all of those things that are "externals" - things, people, places, "stuff", etc.

Are you surprised at all how many of these items on your list are external items?

You see, too many times we expect other PEOPLE or THINGS to make us happy and, this will prove to be true again and again - we WILL be disappointed with those expectations. Sometimes it takes longer than others but, it WILL happen - we WILL be disappointed!

Yes, I understand that people can bring happiness into your life. We just spent a wonderful Christmas holiday with my wife's parents as well as her brother and his family and all of my kids and their wives - it was WONDERFUL and this brought happiness into my life!

But, you know what? I CHOSE to be happy! I could have griped about having to drive to my in-laws on Christmas day. I could have let the fact that we had to take a detour that put us an hour behind time ruin the day. I could have griped that it was crowded and noisy. And on and on and on it could go. See what I mean? I COULD have - but I chose NOT to! Instead, I CHOSE to be happy!

I have spent a little time down in Mexico - about 8 hours into the country away from the border and the real "American influence". The family that my son stayed with for about a month had a home that consisted of a kitchen and two bedrooms. Yes, they were blessed in that they had a few appliances in their kitchen but still it was not what we would consider "suitable" in our lives. They shared a court yard with about 4 or 5 other families which all shared one bathroom. The hot water heater for the bathroom was a black barrel which sat on top of the building so that the sun could heat up the water in the barrel.

And yet, these were some of the most contented and happiest people that I have ever met! Why? They CHOSE to be happy! For one, they didn't have all the distractions of the American idea of what happiness was (drive this kind of car, wear this kind of cologne, own this certain size house, wear this certain brand of clothing, etc.) although it was starting to creep in.

So, here's the thing, friend - you have a CHOICE to make! As we get ready to head into the new year I want to challenge you to CHOOSE to be happy REGARDLESS! That's right - REGARDLESS!

Be determined to find good - to be happy - in any situation...REGARDLESS!

This thought just came to me - the original version of the movie "Pollyanna" which was actually released on January 1, 1960 and starred Haley Mills as Pollyanna. I remember one scene where a group of the cooks, maids and Polly sat around and griped about the church service that they had just sat through. Each one of them had something negative to say about the service and about how much they hated it! Polly had a game that she liked to play called "The Happy Game"and one of the people sitting in the group said to her something along the lines of, "Well Miss Polly - let's see you use your 'Happy Game' on THIS one!' " Polly paused and thought for a moment and then said, "Well, we can all be happy that we don't have to go back until next week!"

I love that! Don't you?

And we can do the same each and every day of our lives by REFUSING to go with the negative and CHOOSING to go with the positive and, thus, CHOOSING to be happy!

Tomorrow: Point 2 of "Four Ways to Make Sure Your New Year Is, Indeed, Happy!"

Until then....

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike