Thought of the Day - Happy New Year!

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” – Oprah Winfrey

Another year has gone by, what does that mean for you?  For me, that means another year of my life is complete and for all that 2011 brought to me, I survived it, I grew from it, I succeeded at it and I am ready for what is next.  A new year is a chance to take inventory and see what needs to go and what needs to stay, what needs to change and what you want to stay exactly the same, what you need to do more of and what you just need to stop, where you want to go and how you plan to get there. 

Growing is natural as time is going to fly.  If you don’t do anything about it, you will simply get older, age and that is about it.  As long as you are alive you will grow, but if you don’t make an effort to do better and be better all you will be is older. 

People in your life don’t have to be there, you allow them to be there. This applies to every person in your life including family.   Those who share your space should be worthy and should act accordingly.  When they do not, you need to decide if you would want them to stay.  That is your choice.  But every day a person stays in your life when they don’t belong, they are sucking the air out of the room and the life out of you.  They are killing your spirit – decide if they are worth that?

Whether or not you let those who disappoint you with their behavior remain in your life, one thing you must do is forgive.  Grudges age you.  Life is taking care of that anyway, why add to the process?  Not only must you let go of grudges but you must forgive those who have wronged you. It isn’t so they can feel better.  It is so that you can be free.  Finally, you must forgive yourself.  You are not perfect and you will make mistakes.  You will make mistakes when you don’t know, you will make mistakes when you aren’t sure and you will make mistakes when you know better.  No matter what, you absolutely must forgive yourself.  No one deserves your forgiveness more than you do.  Gift it to yourself in the New Year.  It will bring you peace beyond belief. 

Finally, decide to be happy.  That is it.  Just make the decision that you choose happiness over misery – every day of every month of 2012.  That doesn’t mean that you will always be happy.  It just means when the option is there, you will choose happiness. 

The blessings are there.  You just need to step up and step in line to receive them.  In 2012, it is my prayer that you get there and are the recipient of happiness and joy beyond anything you could imagine. 

Thank you for all your support in 2011 and I look forward to continuing to share the Thought of the Day with you in 2012.  Happy New Year!

~Maliek~