That sounds so “old hat” but it comes from me with sincerity.  Just because it is “old hat” to wish others a Happy New Year doesn’t mean it is unimportant to look at the future with excitement and anticipation.

I am working through a book on leadership.  John Maxwell’s Leadership Gold is the book and he talks about “defining moments” in our lives.  I wonder what your defining moment will be in 2010!  Let me give you Maxwell’s definition of a defining moment – those moments that come along at unannounced times in which our decision about that event or situation defines who we really are, declares to others who we are, and determine who we will become (restating Maxwell’s statements in chapter three).  Those moments in our lives that come as we face personal failure, take a stand on an issue, experience suffering, are asked to forgive someone or we are called on to make an unpleasant choice.  You may have these moments occur in 2010.

What will you do with them?  How will you face the challenges of this new year and new decade?  What will you do with those “ground breakers” that give you an opportunity to do something new?  What will you do with those “heart breakers” – those moments where you have to reevaluate your priorities?  What about those “cloud breakers” – those moments when you have an opportunity for clear vision when the clouds roll back and reveal what God wants next?  Then there are those “chart breakers” – those moments and events which reveal opportunities for you to go to a new level of growth and personal development?

John suggests some attitudes that will help us, and I’d like to suggest them for you to evaluate and use during the new year:

1. Attitude:  I will choose and display the right attitudes daily.
2. Priorities:  I will determine and act upon important priorities daily.
3. Health:  I will know and follow healthy guidelines daily.
4. Family:  I will communicate with and care for my family daily.
5. Thinking:  I will practice and develop good thinking daily.
6. Commitment:  I will make and keep proper commitments daily.
7. Finances:  I will earn and properly manage finances daily.
8. Faith:  I will deepen and live out my faith daily.
9. Relationships:  I will initiate and invest in solid relationships daily.

10. Generosity:  I will plan for and model generosity daily.

11. Values:  I will embrace and practice good values daily.

12. Growth:  I will desire and experience improvements daily.

Twelve very good goals for the year!  I want to encourage you to take this list and work

on each one “daily” and if that is done you will find that every week will be a success and each month will be one of fulfillment and joy.  Who knows – perhaps in the midst of 2010 you will have several “defining moments” in your life and this will be your best year ever!

What was your defining moment in 2009?  Reflect and see how you handled it!  Then pray that God gives you wisdom to face and next one(s) and make the appropriate decision.