The New Year is Not New

There is really nothing new about the new year except for the number of the year. We jump or slide or crawl or run from one day to the next and suddenly, mysteriously, miraculously, wonderfully, or hazily we find ourselves in a NEW YEAR ready to do NEW things and change dramatically. The feeling is held by many that the new year will somehow bring new directions and motivations that were held in darkness for the past 12-months.  All we need do is simply endure and patiently wait for one more day, then a light will shine brightly on an opportunity and change our way of life that moves us to accomplish goals that were heretofore not within our grasp. Nothing could be farther from the reality of getting things done or making a better life with a new focused direction.

The rise in health club memberships is highest in January and many cancel later that same year because there was really no commitment. Perhaps cigarette sales decline this time of year as well and the reasons are obvious. It is easier to make a commitment when everyone else is making a similar commitment, because it sounds good. But these types of commitments should be all about you no matter what others do or when they do it.

Many of us are fooled by the NEW YEAR illusion. The new year is just another day in our lives and nothing is magical about moving from one day to the next unless we make it so.

I love the NEW YEAR excitement but I learned that making a difference in my life can be started any day of the year and not only during January.

The choice is ours and we will either make the choice and stick to it until we reach a successful conclusion or we will not. The time of year is irrelevant, the decision to change, no matter when is made is monumental.

Happy New Year!

Learn to Read, Read to Learn

Since you are reading this, my thoughts will serve to validate the value you obviously place on your reading and your desire to learn.

Reading, it appears, to far too many of us has become passé.

Andrew Carnegie was one of the wealthiest men in America. He made his fortune in the steel business. His legacy was not only tied to great capitalistic accomplishments but, most notably, to his funding 3,000 libraries in 47 states. Andrew Carnegie believed that all one needs to gain their desired level of success in life is knowledge, aptly applied. Andrew Carnegie believed so strongly that everyone deserved access to the great writings in existence that he spent millions of his money not only building libraries but also filling them with books that would appeal to every reader's desire. 

Reading is the foundation for learning and learning is the path to a better life.

Reading regularly, from variety of sources, will serve to enhance your  understanding of current events, improve your vocabulary, teach you something new and exciting and take you to places that are imaginary and real. Read, newspapers, magazines, books and do so with a desire to learn and be entertained.

Read something every day and always keep a dictionary close by. When you come across a word you don't know the meaning of, look it up. It will serve you best if you fully understand why the writer chose to use that word at that particular time in order to further their message.

If you read, good for you. If you don't' read, you are no better off than someone who can't read. The ability to read is perhaps the greatest gift anyone receives from their education.

Learn to read and read to learn.

(Above is a picture of The Carnegie Library at Syracuse University)