Yipes!  What a fast year!  It seems like just last month that it was New Year’s Day morning…and then a bunch of stuff happened…and now it’s December!

   The holidays are always a nice time to step back, take a deep breath…and relax.  It’s a terrific time for reviewing the past year. Was it the year I hoped for?  Did I stay focused on the things that were important to me?  Did I contribute? Did I grow?  Did I take care of those entrusted to me?  Did I make it my business to care for and encourage those around me?

   What do I expect of myself in the coming year?  How will I conduct myself?  How will I be toward the people that are most important to my life?  How will I handle stress and adversity?

   If I could “design” myself any way that I want…how would I be?

   My friends, take some time this holiday season to tackle these powerful questions.  Some of my most important and defining moments have been when I was sitting quietly, with a pad of paper and a pen – reflecting, making notes, and designing the life that I hoped to live.

   May the joy and peace of this special season be yours…