Whats good,

On this, the last day of 2008, I sit here and review all that occurred in my life over the past 12 months. As always, the year was interesting with highs and lows. People left and entered my life, conflict and resolution, triumphs and failures. My Giants won the Superbowl, and my Mets choked…AGAIN, smh… To me, every year is like a 12 month storyline in the novel called life. We read over previous chapters, and write stories based off of the main characters(us) previous experience. Then we look at the new stories and remind ourselves that some chapters should not repeat and should be closed. Sometimes we write stories that are incomplete, to be continued in the next year. Some chapters are shorter than others, but fill us with excitement if only for a brief time, similar to a roller coaster. We have the chapters that make us cry, sad, depressed. We also see how our character gets stronger and perseveres through the struggles of those negative chapters.

What will Volume 2009 bring the main character that we portray? See, that’s the beauty of this book. This book we write, without a script in mind. We write these chapters by experiencing life. The decisions we make, the people we encounter, the trials and tribulations of our day-to-day activity, all comprise this saga. The supporting characters, the story lines, and how it all ties together, we either watch unfold or reflect later on, seeing the beauty in our experience, whether positive or negative.

We look at a new year as a reset of all that occurred in the previous year. A clean slate. Sometimes we look towards Day 365 to make this commitment. We should do this on a recurring basis though. I think it makes more sense. When you chart your progress, you can measure your success/failure rate and adjust accordingly. If you want to get in shape in 2009, think what would’ve happened if you made that commitment 2 months prior? You’d be 2 months closer to your ultimate goal.

I don’t make the typical “resolutions”. I treat my life like a Fortune 500 business. I make goals and projections for myself in the year. I state specific goals I want to accomplish. I chart that progress throughout the year and make sure I don’t slack. I have no allowance for excuses, situations, circumstance, fate, or destiny to guide my progress. I’m going to initiate the change I want to see and success I want to attain. This process begins in the new year and continues throughout. It keeps me focused, allows for situations where “life happens”, and gives me constant goals to strive for, so I don’t settle for mediocrity and better myself to become a well rounded, cultured, dynamic individuals.

Your goals should serve as the outline to the stories written for Volume 2009. Keep them on hand to review and remember what you promised. Hold yourself accountable for your promises and your own success. Have a foundation for the stories yet to be written. Close the chapters that cause you stress, drama, and hinder your progress in ANY area. Ensure that future chapters learn from the mistakes of the past, and advance yourself.

A lot of chapters closed for me, for good in 2008. A lot of new chapters wrote themselves as well. Day 33 brought a 60th birthday that was celebrated for the dearly departed. The first on of many more Day 33 celebrations. Day 80 brought the final end to a recurring theme in my life that I didn’t understand at first. Didn’t know why I would constantly reappear in losing situations, like a sadomasochistic torture of the heart. Had me wondering if the boomerang known as “what goes around…” had a red beam on the back of my skull for which I had no clue, lol. Looking back by day 100 I was relieved, excited, thankful, and felt vindicated. FREEDOM was no longer a 4 letter word!

Days 180-240 comprised the best summers ever Bermuda, DC, Chicago, ATL(Twice), Cali(although it was in day 115 I think) lol..either way this was the year of the travel! Celebrated my birthday on Day 301 and had great times at parties on both day 297 and 347. Day 336 I celebrated 8 years in Alpha! Where o WHERE did the time go?!!
Day 310 was the year anniversary of the hardest day of my life, and it doesn’t get any easier. Days 33 and 310 are the reason I go HARD 365. Reflecting back on Day 365, I matured immensely, persevered tremendously, worked efficiently, and succeeded exponentially. I have no doubt that the trials of the 365 days of Volume 2008 will bear fruit for Volume 09! (Optimism + Faith) * Action * Hard Work * perseverance -( excuses – complacency) = success. I believe. Hope you do too.

Happy New Year. Peace 2008!