Attaining goals in 2010

With the hopes and optimism of a new year approaching it's time to reflect on not only the past year, but what has happened in our lives.

However, reflection should not involve dwelling on opportunities missed or decisions gone awry. Reflection should be just an appetizer to the present and future. Don't look back only look ahead, or live in today not in yesterday are two good mottos to live by.

This also means we shouldn't put off until tomorrow what can be done today, because if we do, there runs a chance that we will live tomorrow in reflection of "what ifs" or "maybe next times."

With the time for resolutions just one day away, let's not reflect on the past, look to the future, keeping in mind realistic and attainable goals and acting on them immediately.

By not jumping into today's issue, whether it be to call a friend you haven't talked to in a long time, quit smoking, reducing your "bad" food intake, or on a larger scale of changing jobs, purchasing a new home, or relocating to another town, is just making empty promises to ourselves.

There are many people afraid to "jump in" and "take the plunge," so to speak when it comes to life's decisions. But there are also the ones who've been able to take that leap of faith, cross their fingers, hope for the best, and reach the goal they've been working so hard for.

The overwhelming feeling of finally reaching your goal is amazing, so why are people so afraid of feeling that? Sitting back, waiting and watching doesn't get people to where they're happiest. People get there by actively pursuing their goals.

In some cases there may be failure, but this too can be good. Use it as a learning experience for the next time. Reaching you goals means taking chances sometimes, and, of course, with that comes the feeling of being scared. After all it is the unknown.

Being scared is only a feeling, so this means the only thing stopping us from reaching our goals or living our dreams is ourselves. We need to be able to control our feelings, and thus, face our fears. Once this is done the path to your goals should be simple to figure out.

However, don't expect to have it all figured out before "jumping in", because sometimes things must be figured out as you go. And this will bring back the scared feeling again - the cycle continues but you must face it each time.

With a new year approaching, wishes of success in attaining whatever goals you may set for yourself and your family.

All the best in 2010.