As 2011 closes and we prepare to welcome 2012, “New Years Resolutions" will be a hot topic. For some these are simple tasks we wish to accomplish, but for others, these take on a transformative tone, offering a chance to get a fresh start.

Starting fresh does not come easily. It requires many thoughtful decisions and an awareness of our innate ability to bring success into our lives. It takes a belief in the power that is within every human being. It is more than positive thinking, rather something essential that we must tap into whenever we feel or think of the word defeat. It requires seeing ourselves where we want to be instead of where we are, so we can harness the courage and the strength we need to succeed.

A few days ago I saw a television news report about a gentleman who became the COO of the very organization who took him in from the cold when he was a homeless person on Skid Row. After fighting for his country he came home battling despair and misery. He used alcohol to comfort himself when nightmares from his time of service became too much for him to handle. That gentleman made many decisions in order to change his life. He listened to the positive voice inside his head that said, “You can make the change.”

The Only Constant in Life is Change

Ask most people what they think of change and you'll hear comments like, “I don't like change," and "I would prefer it if things just stay the same."

But the reality is that we don't have control over the law of nature that governs the universe and creates circumstances that impact the lives of people all over the world. And change is inevitable.

My Story

After living at the same address for over twelve years I found myself facing a big change. I was packing up all my belongings and moving to another house. For those of you who have experienced living in one house for any length of time, you can understand some of the fear and anxiety that gripped me just thinking about the amount of stuff I had gathered inside and outside my home.

I knew that if I paid them, the movers would move anything I asked. However, I also knew that, realistically, I needed to eliminate at least a half of my stuff. I thought for a bit, then positivity took over.

A voice inside my head spoke up and said, "How many things in your so called belongings have you not used, worn or accessed for one year or more?" Though a smaller voice reasoned that I "might" need those things someday, I knew that the first voice was right and set to work going through my things. I got rid of my anxiety by making a conscious decision to bless someone’s life by donating the stuff I didn't use to a worthwhile organization.

This simple decision to start over again in a new home brought me happiness and a real feeling of contentment.

I discovered that the best way to start over is to give up that which was holding me hostage. Starting over again can be exciting if you let it be.

Starting over again? Making New Years resolutions? Whatever your challenges are, you can be successful simply by raising the bar on what you believe. Believe in yourself. Use the power of positive thinking to change your behaviors and to see yourself as the WINNER that you really are.

Starting Over Again, Means New Beginning to a Renewed Life

Make a resolution in 2012 to accept the things you cannot change, change those things that you can change, and use the power of positive thinking to create a new life.

There's an old Jamaican Saying: Wat no dead no dash it wey.

Translation: If a person is still alive there is still hope for a better life.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012