The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Start 2016 Resolutions By Getting A New Calendar

By Dessa Rodeffer - Quill Publisher/Owner

Here is wishing an overflow of God's blessings to each of you, your family and friends in 2016.

It is already the 6th day of the year. If you don't have your new calendar bought and hung up, you have some catching up to do.

As you look back on the old one and the unfinished tasks you didn't manage to accomplish in 2015, I am sure you have learned that life is a learning experience not a perfect experience.

When we are very young, we believe our grandparents know just about everything, and that the President of the United States must be the smartest person in the world, ...that Miss America or Miss USA along with women like Princess Diana, actress Marilyn Monroe, singer-actress Whitney Houston have it made and life will have no problems for them.

Michael Jackson, oh could he sing and move. And the King of rock and roll Elvis Presley had it all, and so did the wealthy Howard Huges.

Remember the clever, funny talented Bill Cosby, the sophisticated Martha Stewart, some past Illinois governors who ended up in prison.

But, if only we had the money of Warren Buffet, or money of Donald Trump, or richest woman in the U.S., Christy Walton, we could become anything we wanted to become, and life would be happy-without worry.

So now it's 2016, and you are staring at a blank calendar.

Each day will not be a perfect day. Tear off the page and move on. But stop and think, how can you best spend your time? Where will it count the most when your obituary is posted in this newspaper?

Is chasing your bucket list of fun really that important? If so, wouldn't it be better to take someone else along?

Is being perfect at your task important? Leave room for detours, but plan some intentional projects that make a different in the life of your family, friends, and community,

Teach Sunday School or Bible School. Tutor a class. Scoop someone's walk or get their groceries or just stop and listen to them. We focus on ourselves- losing weight, exercise, eat well. Focus outward for a healthy 2016.

Remember - the more you give to others, the more you receive...not money, but the peace that is so lacking in today's world.