We wish you, your family, and your friends the very best in 2021. Each New Year is a milestone in one’s life. Indeed, it is as much a day of reckoning as it is of celebrations. Reckoning involves reflecting on why you did not get what you had wanted in 2020, and celebrating what you got for your effort and how you made it to where you are today.
Let’s go forward; if I were to ask you on 12/31/2021, how was your 2020? Would you respond, “as planned?” Did you plan it? I am pleased to share the easy way to plan your 2021.
First of all, let’s clean our slates:
If you (and I) have said something nasty to your siblings, spouse, parents, children, friends, clients, or customers – make the effort to call them to apologize. You will not believe the relief it brings. Try with one, if it feels good try with another one. If they are nasty to you, turn the other cheek, that is don’t aggravate it further, say thank you to them, and move on. You did your best to clean the slate. Enjoy being a conflict mitigator and a goodwill nurturer.
If others have harmed you, hurt you, and have said nasty things to you, make an effort to call them and say, “look with this Covid, over 325,000 people have gone, don’t know who will be next, I just wanted to clean my slate and seek forgiveness and forgive and go in peace, if it were my turn. It is good to free ourselves and live in peace instead of brooding. Thank you very much.” Please avoid arguments, it will further aggravate the situation.
If none of them are alive, take solid 5 minutes, sit quietly and do it in your heart, the effect will be the same – relief, and freedom from the tension whenever you think about them.
Did you write your will? Do you have a Medical Directive? Make it easy for your family members should something happen to you. I will be happy to share the sources. If you were to go, go in peace.
You have everything to gain by cleaning your slate, try it, it is worth it.
Nothing happens by itself; things happen because someone causes them or drives them to happen. Did you let others drive your life, or was it your plan? You cannot go on vacation unless your dream about it, think about it, and plan on it. You cannot buy anything unless you start it with a want. Unlike the planets, stars, and many other things in the universe which are programmed to function precisely, humans were given the free will to chart their course.
God does not do anything; he cannot do good things for you and not for others. Indeed, He has laid everything out for you to pursue your happiness and peace; it is up to you to get it.
Here is a simple way of getting what you want! Plan, plan, and plan. The first thing is to know what you want; you should know where you are driving when you turn the ignition.
Buy a dozen 5×3 Cards or fold three regular blank white papers and cut them into pieces. Write the following item on top of each piece and place them in your pocket or purse; Family, job, health, income, vacation, home, retirement, self-improvement, a new image, spirituality, and volunteerism.
As you start driving, making coffee, watching TV, or whatever you are doing, take one piece at a time, start thinking about that item, pull the car over, or go to a coffee shop, and sit down and write your thoughts in bullets on each piece of paper. I am sure you have a few ideas about your family, job, and the other items, whatever comes to your mind, write it down.
One evening you can sit down for a few hours and put it all together. It would become your guideline and your plan for 2021. The more you stare at it, the more it becomes a part of you. Please do it for fun; you will be amazed at what it will do for you.
Spiritual freedom is indeed the greatest achievement in one’s life and it permanently clings to you till eternity. Those of us, who can free ourselves from tension, pain, anxiety, apprehension, hostility, malice, pressure, tension, stress, strain, and conflicts, are showered with blessings of peace and joy. It is good to be free, “indeed blessed are the peacemakers (Jesus).” If you have the time, enjoy this tribute to my late wife http://mikeghouseforamerica.blogspot.com/2008/06/celebration-of-spirit-of-volunteerism.html
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Dr. Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker, author, community consultant, pluralist, activist, newsmaker, and an interfaith wedding officiant. Mike is deeply committed to Free speech, Human Rights, and Pluralism in Religion, Politics, Societies, and the workplace. He is the founder and president of the Center for Pluralism and a fellow at the World Muslim Congress, a Think Tank and author of the book American Muslim Agenda, building a cohesive America. He has dedicated his life to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions to the media and the policymakers on issues of the day. Everything about him is at www.TheGhousediary.com.