My New Years Resolution 2009

New Year’s Resolution 2009

Happy New Year! This was a unique holiday season in that there was so much bad news coming from so many different directions; the economy, the war, so many in need and so much turbulence around the world. It really made me sit back and take stock in what I do have. It sounds cliché, but I found it a refreshing opportunity to look at my family, my community, my practice, my friends…and revel in all of it. How blessed we can be without the addiction to material things!

In early 2008, I had made a practice of NOT listening to the news or reading the newspaper. It had become a huge burden, driving to work and hearing about what suicide bomber blew up what outdoor market, or how the dollar was plummeting out of control, or how the ice caps were melting. Things that were seemingly out of my control were eating me up inside, and that’s all before I got to work at 7:30 am!

These days I have been listening to the news again. Why? Because I was obsessed with the presidential election (and I wasn't alone...) I had to know, know, know. And I got back into the habit of listening, reading and watching the news. Now that the election is over, I am left with the nasty news addiction. (This morning I literally heard that our galaxy is headed toward Andromeda much faster than expected and we are sure to collide with them much sooner than previously thought*. What am I supposed to do with that information?)

*Just so you know, “much sooner” is in about 2.5 billion years, so don’t start worrying yet.

Here is the Great News. Great news is 1,000,000 times more powerful than bad news. As awful as the news on NPR makes me feel, watching 40 people come to my office on a Saturday morning in December to donate food to Rosie’s Place makes me feel 1,000,000 times better. My New Year’s Resolution is to commit to spreading Great News wherever I can. Do you think there are thousands of organizations out there doing good work in the world? You Betcha’! Do we hear about them on a daily basis? No. We’re too busy watching the doom and gloom on CNN or reading the Globe for local doom and gloom.

Here's an example. I donate regularly to an organization called Kiva. Kiva takes money and lends it to small businesspeople in developing countries. I choose the people I wish to receive the money and they are contracted to pay me back within 3 months. The money goes back into my account to reinvest in other businesspeople. It’s an incredible concept called microlending, and just knowing that it's taking place lifts my spirits. People helping people; very organic, very good news. Help is the Great News. When politicians are honest and seek solutions to people’s everyday problems, it is Great News. When people are working hard for peace, it is Great News. When children smile, when we can laugh –even with the existence of hardship- it is Great News. When people come together in community, it is Great News.

The Law of Attraction says what you focus on expands. Imagine how much terrible stuff is expanding right now because of how focused we are upon it! In 2009, help me spread the Great News. I know in my heart if we could all take a few moments out of our day to focus on the Great News, we’d have more of it! And then that would expand. That’s my hope for 2009.