by Kim Leto

Created on: January 20, 2009

Today is the day so many of us have been waiting for. The changing of the guard, a wave of change across the country. Still I notice how quickly things have shifted that I cannot attribute to it just being the Inauguration or the New Year. People mean to make changes but most times, they do not stick to it.

You see the year-end; New Year time period brings up a myriad of actions for many people, mostly reflective upon goals. What will I get done this year? I think the New Year brings up the issue of expectations and this year more than previous, I think both personally and publicly Americans have a lot more. Since September while so much impacted the way we do business, the way we spend our money, life goes on and we still have those resolutions to keep for ourselves. I don't know why people make resolutions (I can just hear Andy Rooney right now with his one minute dialogue) because more than likely they are forgotten by Valentine's Day. For many it's to lose that last ten pounds (okay, I have almost all but given up on twenty) or quit smoking cigarettes (my husband is down to ten a day) or start an IRA account for Tax Season. Well, savings goes without saying, we all probably need to play catch up and stop robbing Peter to pay Paul so he can give money to Mary. We all have to pay down our credit cards, okay, above the monthly minimum and put that Tax Refund to good use. Although for some a trip to Hawaii fits that definition, good use.

Out of the people I observed during this time period not many neither reflected upon their blessings nor made true commitments. Maybe internally they did but mostly, they talked about some of the above and other home improvement projects or financial forecasts. I don't think many realized how blessed they are to have a roof over their head or food in their bellies. Many like my father and his wife, reaffirmed their spiritual connections by planning their Bible study schedule but also what I call fuelling the fire of love. Maybe this comes from their commitment to God and family but I think it is healthy to understand this need. In this life of cell phones, Internet and fast food, we need something deeper than just resolutions or goals but spiritual commitments and affirmations to ourselves, each other and new connections with community. And this feeling seemed to be contagious; my husband and I turned inward and made our own list of commitments for the year, incorporating both personal and professional goals as a life statement

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