This morning I watched as Katie Couric unfolded the tragic story of six young boys who ventured out onto a frozen (Lake/pond).  The ice broke, and four of them drowned in the icy waters. 

A horrible incident, but unfortunately, one which I believe has an impact and message beyond the obvious concern and compassion we feel for the families of the victims. 

If we are honest, most of us must acknowledge that we are walking on thin ice in some important areas of our lives. All this month, in preparation for the New Year, I’ve been  reflecting on various aspects of my life and asking myself questions like:

 Right now, how would you rate yourself in these major life areas? (Use a 1-10 scale.)

1. Spiritual 
2. Physical
3. Relational
4. Professional
5. Personal
6. Financial

1. Am I staying true to my purpose…those things I say are my core values and mission?
 

2. Does the time I devote to these areas reflect the importance I claim to place on it?
 

3. Relational
Do you have nourishing relationships in your life?  In your
significant relationships, is there an open flow of honest and affirming communication?  Are you able to resolve differences constructively and promptly?  In your relationships, are you able to "be yourself" and to accept others as they are?
 
4. Professional
How satisfied are you with the career path you are traveling?
Do you continue to experience positive challenges?  Do you have opportunities for growth?  Are you feeling symptoms of burnout? Do you feel that what you are doing is "making a difference?"

5. Personal
When you get past the façade that others see, what is happening
deep inside you?  Are you at peace with yourself?  How do you
talk to yourself?  Do you constantly criticize and judge yourself, or do you look for what you do right and the progress you make, and affirm that? Do you actively engage in activities that help you grow personally?

6. Financial
Good time to look at this one...before the seasonal credit cards
are maxed! Do you actually know what's happening in your finances, or are you in denial?  Are you spending and saving systematically? What does the future look like?

If you are not satisfied with any of these areas, what will it take to "up the rating" a notch or two or three in the coming year?  What realistic actions can you take to improve the picture you see?

Before you answer that, I'd like to challenge you to reflect even more deeply, as I have been doing.  All this month, in preparation for the New Year, I've been asking myself tough questions about these areas of my life.  Here are some of them.

1. How are things going, REALLY?

2. What have you been pretending not to know?  (Thanks to my
    new friend and colleague Dick Lewis for that one.)

3. What commitments have you made to yourself, but failed to
    keep?

4. What commitments have you made to others, but failed to
    keep?

5. What messes have you made that, if you were willing to bite
    the bullet and do what it takes to clean them up, your energy
    and productivity would soar?

6. What important things have you put off until a more convenient
    time?

7. What "whispers in your heart" have you ignored or shoved into
    the background with busyness?

8. If you keep doing exactly what you are doing now, what will the
    future look like?

Yep, I warned you that they were tough questions. 

Negative questions?  No, that's not my style.  Facing my struggles gives me valuable instruction about how to improve. That's the reason to ask tough questions.

Honest questions?  Yes, and very important ones.  Important enough to ponder seriously as 2002 nears its end. 

Don't wait 'til January 1, 2003, to hurriedly write the list of
resolutions you are "supposed" to make, knowing in your heart that they may not last until the ink is dry, much less throughout the year. Or, don't be among the many others who just blow off the whole idea of goal-setting because of their failures in the past.

Do some soul-searching and PREPARE NOW.  Prepare yourself for genuine success by facing the facts as they are, not as you fantasize that they are.  Then you'll be able to see how to take the next realistic next steps.

We're about to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Jesus gave us the truth about TRUTH. He said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

In my life, my faith infuses the genuine hope that my past doesn't
have to dictate my future.  Clear insight, followed by solid plans,
laser-like focus, and courageous action can turn THIN ICE into a
rock-solid foundation for change.
 

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