A Message for the New Year

To Family, Friends, and Colleagues,

I’m sure you don’t need one more message that reminds you of the immense upheaval in and good riddance to 2020 and the hopes and expectations of a safer and less volatile world in 2021. Nor do you probably need someone reminding you that as bad as the year has been, there is always something to be thankful for (there usually is).

Instead, I’d like to close the year with a relatively simple thought - that 2020 should have reminded us of the fragility of life and that despite the evolutionary progress of humankind, the world we live in is quite precarious. We only have this one precious life that is happening to us right now and regardless of how 2020 has impacted you and your life, being alive certainly beats the alternative.

And I hope that our response to that could be similar to the character of George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life” who after being given the gift of seeing the world without him in it, offers this plea to God and his guardian angel, Clarence, as only Jimmy Stewart could, “Help me, Clarence, please…Please, I want to live again. I want to live again. Please God let me live again.” George doesn’t care at this point that he may go to jail for the lost money from his Savings and Loan nor does he lament that he still lives in what at one point, he described as, “this crummy little town.” What he does realize is that the fullness of his life was rooted in the relationships with his family, friends, and colleagues. While money, fame, education, and environment turned out to not be the true source of his joy and happiness.

As we think about the new year, my hope for you and myself is that we make the quality of our relationships as rich and meaningful as we possibly can. That when given the opportunity to be kind and empathetic with others, we make that a priority. That we work to give each other grace and a little more patience and understanding. And of course, here is hoping that we can get to herd immunity as soon as possible and that we can hold on for a few months more of remaining diligent and safe in a world still confronted by Covid19.

As the great American poet, Mary Oliver, wrote, “Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Life can be much too brief; live with intention, live with boldness and when death does find you, may it indeed find you wholly alive.

Most sincerely,

Greg

As a final note, I have worked really hard on developing an enabling structural tool, the 6Ps for Profound and Positive Living. There has never been a better time to build resiliency in ourselves and, as a result, our personal and professional lives. I really believe that through thoughtful engagement with the tool, you can start on the journey to a happier, more enthusiastic, creative, open, motivated, and hopeful you. This online course can be completed on your own time over several weeks engaging the online program in short but impactful bursts of time.

 I challenge you to sign up for the 6Ps and to find an accountability partner to complete the course alongside you. There will be others participating in the course but having an accountability partner that you know and trust will help to keep you accountable long after the course is over. You can find out more by reaching out to [email protected].

I promise you tremendous value for yourself and in those you lead, love, support, and serve!