The Ten Suggestions

As a writer I have an annual duty to write from the heart and to share my deepest thoughts as the holiday season approaches. This is a time when I am suppose to talk about peace on earth, good will towards men and spreading love throughout the world. This year I have decided to go in a different direction, so I ask that you excuse me for not following the normal holiday season protocol.

As we bring this year to a close, there are several things that you can do. You can dwell on your past accomplishments and failures. You can concentrate on family as the holiday season brings you all together or you can decide how the following year will bring about change for a better you. Personally I love to be with family but I am also one who love to progress, therefore I am looking for the following year to be one of great significance. You may be wondering how I can be so excited in spite of the current economical downturn. My answer to this question may shock you but I have confidence in myself and I have faith that surpasses mortal man's thinking ability.

The current economic conditions should excite you to the point of eager anticipation. Plainly speaking if a person has hit the bottom then the only place left to go is to the top. Statistics have shown that in the time of adversity, opportunities are created. The very thing that held you back last year may be the catalyst that you need to catapult you into a new era of you life.

The New Year will be arriving shortly so there is not much time to dwell on New Year's resolutions. Whatever you are planning to do on January 1st, my suggestion is that you start doing them know and make room for more important things. Today is a new day and tomorrow is your future that is undetermined. Therefore live today and prepare for tomorrow and when tomorrow comes you have already made your preparation today.

Opportunities are what you make of them but first you have to have a plan of execution. I want to give you head starts with what I like to call my "Ten Suggestion," these suggestions are unlike the Ten Commandments because they are not rules. A suggestion is an idea or a proposal whereas rules are more of a governing power. A person could find himself or herself in serious trouble for not following the rules but if one decides to not follow a suggestion, then they simply abandon what could be a great opportunity. These are my suggestion that I submit for the coming year.

1. Allow God to be the head of your life.
2. Never focus on things and stuff (They are only temporary).
3. Speak and think positive thoughts, (Praying works well also).
4. Remember that Sunday is not just another day off.
5. Respect those who have shown you the way.
6. Keep your dreams alive.
7. Stay in your lane and move at your own pace (Rome was not created in a day).
8. God has given you the ability. There is no need to steals someone else's dream.
9. Bad mouthing one another is the quickest way to failure. (Silence is truly golden).
10. Learn to love your current lifestyle but prepare for a greater tomorrow. "Write the vision and make it plain..." (Habakkuk 2:2)

As I stated before these are just my suggestions, you can follow them or you can come up with some clever ones on your own.

Now that we have covered the suggestions it is time to move. No I am not referring to a physical move but a mental move that will alleviate hindrances that are stopping you from reaching your full potential.

The first and what may be the most critical obstacle to avoid in the coming year and beyond is removing debt. No longer can debt be part of your wealth building system. Borrowing against your future will undoubtedly hinder your future progress. I realize that is easier to say "Live debt free," than it is to actually be debt free but you have to start somewhere. One of the easiest ways to start the process is to take account of what you have. Many times people will find that a good old-fashioned Garage/eBay/Craigslist sale can put a substantial amount of wealth in their pockets. Next on the list of hindrances come in the form of your (So-called) friends, a good friend will stick closer to you than a bother. They will comfort you, support you and encourage you. If you have an acquaintance that is not fulfilling all of these requirements, than I suggest that in the coming year that you prune them from your friendship tree. Lastly I want you to remove the words "quit" and "try" from your vocabulary. You were created to do great things and if you are constantly quit and try you will never get any further than were you are today.

This last year is all but a memory. There is nothing that you can do to change the damage that has been done. The past is the past but the future is whatever you make it. In that regard I have one last suggestion. Enjoy the holiday; spend all the necessary time available loving on your family and your "True" friends. Tell them how much you appreciate them and how much you respect them more importantly let them know that a new you has been birthed and the old you has gone away with Father time. As you celebrate the birth of our Father cut a piece of cake for yourself and sing happy birthday.

I leave you with my New Years slogan that I hope will sit firmly in your heart as you discover the new you. "Be blessed in your quest for success," but remember these are suggestions. That being said, I bid you a HAPPY NEW YEAR!