Gratitude

Phew! It is month 12 of 12, week 52 of 52 and what a ride it has been. A look back at the year will mean different things to different people and for different reasons. This year has presented a lot to many people. To some, it has been good. To some others, not so much. One thing we should have in common though, is gratitude. No matter how many curve balls this year threw at you, you will not need to look too hard or too far, you will see the plenty of reasons you should be grateful for.

If not for anything else, that you're able to read this is assurance enough that tomorrow is pregnant with plenty of goodies. You survived a lot of things this year. Those you're aware of and those you know nothing about. For those unaccomplished goals on your list, the new year will present new opportunities for them.

If you are thinking some people had better opportunities than you did, you may be right. But what you should focus on is what you were able to achieve with the opportunities you got. There is hardly a human who would not have had a few moments of pain, regret and frustration. Thinking about this, 50 Cent's "joy wouldn't feel so good if it wasn't for pain" comes to mind. So, even before you begin to project into the new year and how to begin with it, sit back, reflect on the past year and be grateful for the things you survived and where you currently are.

Above all, your theme as you go into the new year should be gratitude. Be grateful for everything that happened to you this year - the good, the bad, the surprising, the unpleasant. If not for anything else, the breathe in your nostrils should be proof to you that there is more ahead for you in the new year.

Being grateful is not because you don't have problems, it is because you have been able to deal with them and look ahead with hope.