Ready, Set... Go!

Luke has been muttering that today is the last day of December and how tomorrow would be January. The concept of tomorrow being the 1st day of 2009 and today being the last of 2008 has yet to kick in with him. Lydia on the other hand, is worried with the change of year tomorrow; people she loves are going to start dying. Me – tomorrow appears to be coming around as just another day. I just need to remember to sign off dates with ‘09’ instead of ‘08’.

But it is more than just another day isn’t it? For most people, it would be the starting block to push off in new directions, goals, promises and dreams. But as I wrote on Christmas Day, it should be Christmas every day, and the same applies for the New Year.

“Every choice has an end result” says Zig Ziglar on my never-ending calendar for the day. And 2008 I would have to say, would be the year where I made the most conscious choices since 1975. Oh okay – maybe not 1975, but probably since 1990. Yes – I am one of those, who ‘go with the flow’ even though I am a control freak. But the last 365 days saw me thinking things thru very thoroughly and then making my choices based on the best set of circumstances and consequences.

As with all decisions, there have been the good, the bad and of course, the dark and twisted too. But to take stock, on an overall count, I would have to declare 2008 a pretty good year to me.

There are plenty to be grateful for and I cannot let the date change without making a list of them. So here goes:

1. My family – mum, dad, Lydia and Luke who has been my constant driver to do better than I have ever done.
2. My best buddy – The Bear who has also been officially adopted by Mum and Dad as their “eldest” son, and who is still my best buddy despite it all.
3. My best girlfriend – Mandy whose life has changed in so many ways we did not expect a year ago, but nonetheless have remained my best girlfriend in between pumps and nappy changes!
4. My bosses – Past and present. These are two individuals who have helped me see that I deserve more than a casual “Um” and broke me out of that box.
5. My ex-staff – They have become my adopted family and even tho time have moved on, they still remain the 2nd home that welcomes me back with open arms and yummy food, no matter what the weather is outside.
6. My unexpected surprise of the year – Who shall remain nameless and faceless, but without him I would not be a sack of potatoes lighter and looking forward to the dawn of each new day. 
7. God – for constantly catching me every time I fall and always opening doors, windows and crevices, AND pointing the follow-spot towards that direction.

The Jews call it Lezikaron: The importance of looking forward as well as remembering the past. And while the list can go on and on and on, as with the Oscars, we shall place a limit on it.

For at the end of the day, of this year we call 2008, as with every other day of our lives, let us always live it knowing that each second, each minute, each hour and each person we encounter – it is always a blessing to be still alive, breathing and living.

Happy New Year’s to one and all. 

May we move forward towards more of the joyful 

and strength to handle the sorrowful!