525,600 Minutes Per Year

I've heard it at least one hundred times and it's only January 6—"2013 is going to be a great year." Well...maybe, and maybe not. We can say it, but can we make it happen? It really is up to us, isn't it? On January 1, we had 525,600 minutes handed to us. Next December 31, we'll be thinking about how we spent it.The time to start planning is now.

My supervisor at work gave me this article filled with brilliant ideas and I had to share it with you. So here it is compliments of Todd Durkin (http://todddurkin.com) based on a poem by Gail Lynne Goodwin.


Spend time with people you love. — Cherish family and friends. When we look back at a year, the things that usually stand out are times spent with loved ones, and moments of connection with one another.

Let go of the past. — Don't waste a good minute worrying about a bad one. Know that everything is perfect exactly as it is. Trust that there is a reason, even when you can't see it.

Be positive. — Realize that you do have a choice, and choose to be positive in your thoughts and your actions. Take baby steps and don't give up! Keep moving in the right direction. Trust yourself and your abilities. Just because something didn't yet work out as planned, doesn't mean it won't work out. There is always a way and you can't lose unless you give up.

Embrace change. — Resisting change is like trying to swim upstream. Instead, embrace it and go with the flow.

Connect with nature. — Watch sunsets. Talk to a tree. Listen to the wind. Taste the sweetness of a fresh apple. Study a leaf. Play with a dog. In all things, find your connection to something bigger than you.

Love life! — Do what you love. Love what you do. Happiness comes from spending minutes doing things that bring you joy.

Laugh!— Relax, be playful and remember, life is meant to be fun.

Expand your world. — Learn about other cultures, celebrate our differences and find common ground.

Create a vision. — Write down 100 things you want to accomplish this year and share it with someone you love. Create a vision board to keep your dream alive.

Dream Big! — Dream big dreams and trust that you're on the right path to make them happen. You deserve the very best in life—claim it!

Listen to your inner voice. — Many times, wisdom comes to us in silence.

Spread Kindness. — Connect with one another. Share a smile. Perform random acts of kindness. Choose love. In all things, love now.

Exercise your mind and your body. — We only grow old when we're stagnant. Move and grow.

Pause. — Breathe. Take time for yourself. Know that you matter and remember, you must first fill your own cup before you can give to others.

Pass it on. — Give. Share. Give away things you don't need. Share love and resources with others, remembering that blessing flows more easily through a stream without a dam.

Pay attention to serendipity. — Live connected to something greater than yourself. Open unto and into the possibility of life. Live with faith and hope as a part of your life instead of a part from them.

Be Grateful. — No matter where you are, express gratitude, knowing that what you focus on grows. If you're going to create more of something, let it be gratitude.

Be conscious of your thoughts. — Know that your thoughts have the power to create tomorrow's reality. So think good thoughts. Dream big dreams. Celebrate the moments of your life.

Be you! — You are so very beautiful; so let your light shine. You are an unlimited being with infinite potential. You have no limitations except those that you place on yourself.

This is the very moment you have the chance to start anew. Embrace the opportunity, whether it be calling someone you care about, starting, or finishing, a dream project, changing a habit—the possibilities are endless. Celebrate life. A new year filled with more than 525,000 minutes is waiting for you. 

Make it magnificent!