It's that time of year again.

I'm not adding this photo of my holiday book to prompt you to check it out but if you feel inclined I'm certainly not going to stop you :) Anyway, the title of this post is referring to the holiday season and just as important, the coming new year. All to often people tend to rush through the last two weeks of the month/ year running from one task to the other from one holiday celebration event to another without taking the time to think about if we are really celebrating or just going through the motions. Well it is my sincerest hope that you will be reminded after reading this post to do just that. Stop, take a moment to appreciate the blessings in your life. Think of all you have accomplished this past year and all you are looking forward to in the new one. One of my favorite things to do this time of year is to wake up earlier than my family on the days before Christmas. The days is still pretty new and the house is quiet. I turn on the holiday lights and just sit there with a cup of coffee and the silence and really hear myself. I think about all I am truly blessed with and how far I have come. I know (like all of us) I am a work in progress and I still have many miles to go before I sleep but still I feel grateful for what I have and the people in my life and I give quiet thanks for those things. I challenge all of you to do the same. Give thanks and look ahead. No matter what kind of year you have had or are still going through, know that you will not be in this situation forever and that the future is still yours to make the best it can be. Take stock and then move ahead. God bless and Happy Holidays to you all.