In lieu of the typical New Year’s Resolutions, I’ve decided to do one thing and one thing only… choose to be happy.  The past year has been one of the best and craziest years of my life.  It hasn’t been amazing because I won the lottery or spent six months vacationing in Europe.  No, it was simply because I made the selfish and worthwhile choice to surround myself with positive things.  A wise friend once told me that you can’t possibly make a difference in this world and in people’s lives if you’re running on empty, and this year has shown me that.

What seemed like the greatest leap of faith months ago now feels like the first baby step of growth.   In twelve months time, I moved out on my own and created a home that was mine.  I embraced change and lived by faith.  People who were an negative influence on my life or added unneeded drama somehow fell away, and I was constantly reminded at the blessings I had in my friends and family.   I’ve struggled in the past with being content at where I am on this life’s journey, but as I spent the last six months consciously deciding to be happy, I’ve realized being content isn’t a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week thing.  It’s the ability to have faith that where you are on your life’s journey is exactly where God wants you to be.  As I look to a brand new year, I can say with confidence that this one is going to be one of the best yet.

So here’s to 2009… may it be everything we hope for.