What Is On Your Wish List for 2013?

The countdown to December 21, 2012 has begun. One of my social networking friends, Chanda Gunter, summed up the end of the world predictions best, “Soooo are we suppose to party today because the world ends at midnight OR do we get to enjoy all day tomorrow and then deal with the zombies? I’m so confused.”

Daniel New Year Photo

Let’s assume that the Mayan calendar predictions are incorrect and there will be a New Year to celebrate. What is on your wish list for 2013?

Whether we are six or 106, we all have a “Wish List” of the things we want to be, do or have. As a child, I was a big dreamer (still am to a degree), and probably drove my Mom crazy with all of the talk about the things I wished for in life. When she grew tired of the noise, her favorite reply was, “wish in one hand and poop in the other and see which one fills up the fastest.” This would pretty much put an end to my wishing for the day!

For most of us, particularly early in life, our biggest wish was to be more like someone else. In fact, Gatorade’s highly successful commercial, “I want to be like Mike”, focused on a desire to be like Michael Jordan. Why is this desire to be someone else so prevalent in our society? Is it because we’re unhappy with the way our lives have turned out, is it born out of a life-long quest for self-improvement and a better life, or is it something else?

Doris Mortman once said, “Until you make peace with who you are, you’ll never be content with what you have.”

What I’ve learned over the years is that it is good to have dreams, ambitions and goals; as long as they are grounded in reality and can enable you to achieve self-fulfillment and happiness. So, if you shift the focus to being more like you in the year ahead – content with what you have and where you are in life, maybe things will really start to fall into place. Just remember Mom’s favorite response when it comes to your wish list, and spend less time wishing and more time doing.

If you’re struggling to make peace with who you are today, then my wish for 2013 is that your dreams, ambitions and goals are realized, so you can find happiness within you and enjoy your life!

Hope you and your loved ones have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

John

 

P.S. The photo above is my son, Daniel, ringing in the New Year for 2012. I think he was having a good time and enjoying his life!!!

 

COPYRIGHT © 2012 John Carroll