An Early Happy New Year to You

Since I last blogged about Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving, I thought I'd blog about New Years before New Years Eve. I'm such a rebel.

If you're wondering why I didn't blog about Christmas, it's really quite simple. I haven't been this busy during the Christmas season since I can remember. Actually I don't have time to blog right now, but I thought I'd do it anyway. It is true when they say you will find time to do the things you want to do.

Reflecting on 2008, I'd give it a 9 and 1/2 on a scale of 10. A lot of things happened this year that I am grateful for. I won't bore you with the details except to tell you that I am now working doing what I love to do and actually getting paid for it. It doesn't get much better than that!

But what about 2009? Every four years Americans get a whole new set of circumstances to factor into the equation of a New Year. We have a new administration taking over the leadershipof our government. Republicans are resigned and some are fearful. Democrats are ecstatic, filled with hope about change. As an independent conservative with some leanings toward libertarianism, I can't say that 2009 looks very promising. My experience with government over the years have proven that if you really want to make a mess of things, let the government take it over. We have seen it happen with welfare, education, the environment, Social Security and we may see it happen in health care, banking and the auto industry. 2009 doesn't hold a lot of promise at this particular venture.

But 2009 does have its ray of hope. Many are considering that sometime after the clock strikes midnight things will be different. Pounds will melt away, finances will improve, marriages will be healed, crime will disappear and Jews and Arabs will be at peace. Well, we can dream can't we?

It doesn't cost us anything at all to hope. Hope is what often gets us to roll up our sleeves and do something about the issues of life. Hope can inspire and encourage. It can knock us off center and into the arena of change. Hope is a powerful motivator. Faith is hope realized It is the flip side of evidence, yet just as real.

The little guy with the bomb in his hand is giving us a two tiered message. 2009 can be a disaster, or a brilliant display of fireworks. Most circumstances in life have more than one possibility. 2009 lies before us as a chapter to be written. So take pen in hand and start writing.