A NEW YEAR, A NEW ADVENTURE
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From: Bettye Johnson
Date: Sunday, December 30, 2007, 3:20 PM
Subject: A NEW YEAR, A NEW ADVENTURE
ID: 259373

As I write this, we are moving out of 2007 and into a new year – 2008. It can be a time to reflect and to acknowledge the pluses that came to us during 2007. It is also a time to give thanks to the wonderful things in our life—even if it is only the clothes on our back and the food on our table.

There is an old custom in the U.S. and other parts of the world symbolized by the character of Father Time with his hourglass or portrayed as the Grim Reaper signifying leaving the past behind with a brand new year.

What are we bringing to this New Year? Will it be sorrows or joys? In contemplating the coming year 2008, I came across the following titled Awareness.

Watch your thoughts, They become words. Watch your words, They become actions. Watch your actions, They become habits. Watch your habits, They become character. Watch your character, It becomes your destiny… … (Source unknown)

We can alter a habit if we really have the desire to change. There are many who are afraid of change or to change, but those of us who invite change are the ones who move away from being a victim and becoming the victor. Christian D. Larson wrote the following in 1912. The Optimist International adopted a shortened version as their creed in 1922. This is Larson's version.

PROMISE YOURSELF To be strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only of the best—to work only for the best and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to0 the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet. To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear and too happy to permit the presence of trouble. To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds. To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

We each have the choice of starting out in 2008 with a new page with new wonderful adventures. We can each be a light unto the world. Have a wonderful New Year. Bettye Johnson http://www.magdalenescrolls.com