Straight from The Horse’s Mouth

After waiting an entire year, on December 29th I finally got to make the post office run I had been waiting for. In my hands were a dozen personal, hand-written letters. I kept the sealed envelopes safe throughout 2009 and was honored to be sending them off to their destinations; the authors. Those lucky people took part in an exercise at THM the year before where they sat down and wrote a letter... to themselves. These letters are a gift, a truly insightful experience.

They were instructed to speak to their future selves and offer congratulations for surviving another year. They spoke of dreams and goals. They offered advice, reminding themselves what they believe is important. They told themselves they were capable of accomplishing in the next year everything they desired, and applauding their success.

The writing helps crystallize how the anticipated year is to develop, setting the intention to achieve a personal best. Often times, the goals we set and our goal achievement process are subjected to a lot of changes along the way, due to varying obstacles, unanticipated circumstances and changing priorities. The letter gives you a birds-eye view of your initial plan and lets you recognize how your current vision differs from the past. This can be helpful in realistically planning the next year.

When I opened my letter what struck me most was how nice I was to me. It's not often we get a pat on the back and a kind word from ourselves. I achieved almost all of the goals I had set for myself, and saw that the ones that didn't happen probably didn't happen for a good reason...and I'm okay with that.

Now is your chance. Spend today thinking of dreams and goals you would want to be realized by next year. What is your desired status of the different areas of your life at that time? Relationships? Love? Career? Finances? Health? Spirituality? Write yourself a letter speaking in detailed and positive terms, commending yourself for your successes. It will feel so good to read your own cheerful words this time next year.

Bring the letters to me at THM, we'll seal them so that what you've written is kept absolutely private, and I'll mail them back to you next year. Give a gift to your future self.

My birthday was on December 23rd, and this is the first year I couldn't really get excited about it. I guess I have crested the hill. I am, however, very excited about the beginning of the new year. After the stress of a long holiday season, getting back to normal and launching new goals, new schedules, is like getting a new lease on life. We have so much to look forward to. Thursday the 7th we will have our Digital Photography Class at 6:00pm. On the 14th the Ooh, Aah, Wow! Art Group meets, and the 15th will be our first Open Mic Night of the year. Friday, January 22nd we'll be enjoying fun trivia factoids and food from all over the world with our Trivial Pursuit Game Night and Pot Luck Dinner. Bring an international dish to share and taste the creativity of the other cooks. Don't forget our Scrabble Tournament takes place on the first Monday of the month. Congratulations to Martha Hocutt for taking first place in 2009, with Joyce Stark in second and Ness Goodwyn in a close third.