New Year Hope?

As 2009 sweeps in, pushing 2008 aside before most of us have had a chance to work out where it all went in such a hurry, there is one thing I am already sick of...

If I hear one more person say (or, perhaps more likely in this virtual age, tell the world via their facebook status) that they 'hope' 2009 is a better year than the last one I may well explode. Scientifically unlikely I hear you cry - just try me!

I'm all for positivity in the New Year and, after an up and down 2008 on a personal level, I am looking forward to enjoying a really good and significant year. However, the use of the word 'hope' in people's descriptions of their aspirations really does bug me. You don't have a good or happy year just by hoping for it. Yes, life and his fickle friends fate, destiny and chance all play their part in dealing you your annual hand, but it's what you do with those cards that defines the direction you take.

I'm not denying that bad things occur and often cruelly and unjustifiably so, but that is all the more reason to try and make things happen rather than sitting back and hoping. We cannot control everything in life and we never know what is around the corner - and how dull and boring it would be if our entire future was mapped out in front of us complete with total control - but the way to give yourself the best possible chance of a good 2009 is to show a bit of determination and belief that you are capable of making it a good year instead of relying on chance.

I believe it could be a big year for me, but it will only happen if I am positive and pro-active in my approach to the next 360 odd days. My plan is to adopt such an approach and see where that gets me. I suggest you do the same.

Happy New Year!