Getting on the Beam for 2013
by Cate Murway
This is the only holiday that celebrates the passage of time so hope you didn’t drop the ball this New Year’s Eve.
The New Year is a new chapter in your life…. write in bold and let no one else hold your pen.
Everything counts. Isn’t if funny how day by day, nothing seems to change but when you look back, everything is different?
There will never be a day in your life that will not provide you with an opportunity for you to step up, demonstrate initiative and to answer the call to greatness. It’s imperative to create a massive sense of urgency but remember ….balance!
Sometimes there is a chronic disconnect between goal formulation and goal execution. While working hard is admirable, it’s much better to work smarter. Performance can be seen as the sad consequence of neglect, poor character, lack of direction and ambition, or it can be an inspiring example of talent put to use.
2013 lies ahead like a pathless field of snow. Be careful how you tread on it, for every mark will show. With the discipline of accountability, all things are possible, even with an extreme performance acceleration program. Start the year fast and focused.
The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named. Build momentum and set yourself up for a successful year by turning a flashlight to your soul to inspect yourself for will, courage, and conviction. If not you, then who?
How are you coloring your world?
Frederic H. Baumgarten, Grundy Commons President
“How do I color the New Year? Polka dot! With a grey background.
The shape (Polka dot) is for the uncertainty that we have been bequeathed from Washington. I believe these problems are structural - both sides and most of the players for the past 40 to 50 years have been marching in a parade. The time has come for this generation to start sweeping up the mess that has been left in the wake. The major problems are structural rather than political - not good guys vs. bad guys, rather a series of problems that we have to approach with our different philosophies to fashion solutions together.
The background grey is my way of hedging - is it dark getting lighter, or lighter getting darker? The color of the dots - bright! I am an optimist, so color plenty of them blue, yellow... And color a couple of them blood red for the crazies out there! Let us remember that there are many bad guys out there that see our great country as a threat to be destroyed!”
Artists help us see the world discovered and undiscovered in different ways.
“I'm continuing to work on my artwork by taking classes and staying in touch with other artists.”
Marty Shively (from the Artists of Bristol) Bristol, PA
Why not try to craft resolutions that you might actually enjoy?
Bristol resident, Carolyn Anita Herring-Pizzullo is “Reaching for the gold..happiness ...and holding on..all of it is spelled in one word: family, either family or family of friends..”
Practical New Year resolutions consist of those which have the potential to alter the mental as well as physical directions of a person. Studies confirm that making goals public significantly improves attaining those goals.
“I am currently taking care of my family in which I love to do, then I am going to work on me in 2013 due to my body structure I need to work on me now (weight loss) is my main goal!”
Ellen Scancella from Bristol, PA
Assisting other individuals is perhaps one of the most fulfilling measures one might take which can really make one feel happier.
Susan Zanino Corleto from Langhorne, PA
“My goal in 2013 is to ALWAYS be considerate of those around me and put the needs of others before my own desires. I will continue to seek out to Love the Un-loveable (by the worlds standards) with hopes of leaving this world a better place!”
Genuinely care and your heart might beat a little healthier.
"Eddy" [Pastor Ed] Jones shared a 2013 goal....”Go about doing good and helping anyone in need who crosses my path.”
You have to find the little things which make you feel happier from inside and that is one very good New Year resolution. Resolutions redefined.
“To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.” attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson
The best way to predict your future is to create it.
Graduate student, Tara C. Mastoris, Baltimore, MD/ New Hope, PA
“Short-term goals for 2013:
-- Run well in the Disney marathon (coming up-- Jan 13th! have a running buddy this time-- Anthony is running with me! :)
--Read more during the semester and do well in school
--Have a good running/exercise routine (a wonderful stress releaser during a busy semester)
-- Get involved in something new in Baltimore (hopefully a volunteer opportunity)
-- Be a positive support to my sister as she prepares for a summer wedding
-- Most importantly, make more time for prayer (so much to be thankful to God for!)”
Read, teach someone to read, and nurture intellect. Inspire, promote and reward excellence. Change is never a matter of ability. It is always a matter of motivation. Start each day fast and finish each day strong.
Ashlee B. Scarborough teaches in Waianae, HI
“To motivate more individuals to have a positive outlook on life and the opportunities ahead of them.”
There’s no cushion for procrastination, indecisiveness, or excuses.
Edgewater Park, NJ Soprano and Artist Ellen Doak Winslow vows, “Not to make promises, just to follow through with kind actions. Just do it. Paint a picture for someone, have someone for lunch, give someone who is lonely, a call.”
It’s time to kiss 2012 goodbye and throw your jacket over your shoulder – 2013 is here! Fill your vision board, your inspirational touchstone, with a collage of your personal and professional goals, as well as things you love. Fill every corner with pictures of friends and family, books you want to read, and places you want to go.
Test the waters… If it brings you joy, stick with it! Move out of your comfort zone.
Happiness and fun are not just for other people.
You can’t always predict what will happen in your life, but you can control how you respond to it.
Get on the beam for 2013!
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
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12. 12.31
LATE "EDITION"
"Instead of focusing on things to “give up” I want to focus on things that will make a difference in this crazy world of ours. We need to hold onto our beliefs and core values and not let people take them away because it might “offend” someone out there. Let each person have the right to believe in what they want but not at the expense of taking away the beliefs of others. Look at what is going on in this world of ours. We need to just look back to a couple of weeks ago when 26 people lost their lives and 20 were children. We experienced yet another tragedy in our nation that shook our faith and makes you doubt everything you believe in. It makes everyone question the existence of GOD…. We cannot walk away from things like this instead we need to speak out and share our beliefs openly and reach out to those who need help. If we are going to change the world we cannot rely on others to do it. It has to start with each and every one of us. So instead of giving up things that I would only benefit from I am going to try to give more ……to help more……..to spend more time with family, friends and strangers and not let anyone take away my core values and beliefs. Happy New Year!"
Ron Parodi, Newtown PA
