Does Christmas Change As You Get Older?

When I was little.... I remember how hard it was to go to sleep on Christmas Eve. I would roll around in bed, count the hours until it would seem like a reasonable time to wake up my parents. I would run to my parents room, jump on their bed and scream IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!!!

As I look back at it.... those days are long gone. Christmas is a dream for kids. But as you get older, the presents, the cultural norms of Christmas looses its intrigue.

The way I approach Christmas has been much different, as I got older. I rather sleep in, than wake up early for presents. But, the most telling sign is... I have become very reflective during Christmas. I much more concerned with spending time with friends and family. I even prefer the food over the presents. But more importantly, its about the birth of Christ.

I can't help, but reflect on the coming year. Christmas has turned to a day of rest and reflection, rather then the previous gift focused day.

I really cherish how I approach Christmas now, then before.

So, how has Christmas changed for you as you got older?

The Importance Of Training

Now that I'm officially done with training. Its typical to automatically move into reflection mode. These past 8 weeks, have been completely humbling for me. I sat through many classes, studied the Bible like never before. I was stripped down to my core, ripped from everything and exposed in many ways. The reality was I need that, more than anything.

God has been ever so faithful.

Training usually is approached lightly, people feel they know all the required elements of most training. Yet, training still remains a pivotal point for any discipline. I would venture to guess, that most times we do have a good idea, of what the training will contain.

However, through any training there are "training nuggets" moments that make training worth it, enjoyable, it gets the blood going.

I would love to share 3 " training nuggets" that I have taken away from training.

1.Your walk with Christ keeps you on the field or takes you off. (Slap in the face "nugget" good stuff, so true)
2.Go to the field as a learner. (Humility " nugget" assume you know nothing)
3. Christ does the "changing" not the missionary. (The I'm not God "nugget" the most obvious of the 3, amazing how we forget)

I am grateful for the training I received.

The point of training is to find what you don't know already and to re- establish what you already know.

We all have a lot to learn.

In many ways, life is one big training. Through the different paths of life we take. We all find "training nuggets" that we learn from.

May we always be learners.

The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

As training comes to an end. I can't help, but reflect on what I have learned.

I've been able to met some really cool people. I've been able to really hone in on some personal
things, that I needed to work on. God has been ever so faithful, during this process. I'm excited to
see what God has for me. However, I'm also super scared and will be completely lost in a new culture
and language.

But the time is coming soon. It will become a reality....

There will be good times, bad times and ugly times. I know, there will be times when I will feel tired and hopeless.
I will be homesick, frustrated and missing my family and friends. But its the cost a missionary most take into account.

As anticipation becomes reality, no one is ever ready for that transition.

I do know this, I will have highs and lows. But God is bigger, smarter and wiser. His grace never runs out, He is our constant.

Through the good, the bad and the ugly. God will be there..... that much I know.

The Burden

As a missionary, its important to take an interest in the people you will be dealing with. To be honest, its has taken time for me,to really understand this concept.

Not that I don't see the importance of what I'm doing. But as I get ready for the big move, I have really developed a burden for the Japanese people. Like Americans, the Japanese struggle with materialism, vanity, and the busyness of life. However, Japan does differ, compared to most developed countries.

Japan has a high suicide rate, depression is common, and the Japanese culture allows no room for error. Over time, I began reading and studying the nuances of the Japanese culture. To understand the plight, that the Japanese culture has produced on its own, one must enter into the Japanese world. I will be doing that soon.

That's what makes missions tricky, once you begin to feel for the people. You develop a connection, a heart for the people. In time, the harsh realities of the culture will be evident daily. But half the battle is simply acknowledging, that its imperative to develop a heart for the people. Which helps the overall goal.

To glorify God.

I have grown a burden for the people of Japan. I want to help and tell them about Jesus. So, that they can see there is hope. Their sins have been forgiven, there is no shame.

In time, I will be unable to imagine my life without the Japanese people.

Its funny how that works......

Counting The Cost

Its been, nearly a month since I left for training. In my time of training, I've had ample time to learn, reflect, and more importantly grow in my spiritual walk.

There's something refreshing about being surrounded by people who are like minded. I'm around people who are adventurous, who speak more than one language and are eager to learn more. They love Jesus... all in their own unique way. But the one similarity that has developed over time. Is the reality of counting the cost of missions.

The harsh reality is that some of us, may never come back. We may never see our families and friends ever again. The people that I have gotten to know will face certain danger. Danger is in abundance, from the vast lands of Asia to the instability of the Middle East and North Africa.

I'm humbled to see the amount of parents who are taking there kids to these places. Showing there faith in Christ, not knowing the future.

I feel very blessed to be surrounded by so many willing witnesses. I have broken bread with them, talked in depth about the Bible, and even played sports. However, our time together will end and we leave to spread God's Word.

We all know the cost each of us face. Some are more daunting then others, but the goal is still the same. I may be in the urban jungle of Tokyo, but I know there is a lot of Japanese people who need Jesus. I know my cost is low compared to others. To be frank, I struggle with that...but as one brother told me.

"God placed you where He needed you, I wouldn't be able to live in a urban setting."

I know my place and I have counted the cost.

For His Glory.

Entitlement vs. Privilege: The On Going Struggle

San Antonio, Texas the place I call home, became a living nightmare for me. As I prepared to leave San Antonio, for the first time. I couldn't help, but count the days. I was so ready to leave. I felt trapped, unproductive, and entitled the latter being the reason for leaving so bitter. I left San Antonio, so angry, at so many people.

I felt that, I had been used and abused at the same time. That I had been left on the street, after being mugged. No one coming to my care, or asking if I needed help. I felt alone. I allowed this entitlement to drive my thought process and how I reacted to my bitterness.

As I left, I thought I was the better person. That I had it all figured out. Entitlement is a slippery slope to nowhere, it gives satan the angle he needs to create havoc in your life.

Peter disowned Jesus THREE times, however, Jesus respond out of love. Jesus, could of easily said " You fool, have you not seen what I have done?" Jesus had that chance to feel entitled. Because of how Jesus responded, Peter saw how privledged he was.... to be in His presence.


Now after time, to reflect.... I see how pompous I was.... I felt very entitled. I realized, when I return home I need to mend some broken friendships. That there is a constant battle going on between grace and pride.

Knowing that you come from a privileged setting, it humbles the person overall. Humility claims that we have no idea what we are doing. Entitlement claims we know and to move out of our way!


I have no idea what I'm doing, but I willing to learn. I know how blessed I am. I know, I'm in a position to serve God in Japan.

I'm truly humbled by that .....

Under construction, a work in progress aren't we all? How do you approach your everyday life?

Do you feel privileged or entitled?

Pray Persistently

When anticipation becomes reality, we are never ready for the subtle truths that come our way.

For the past couple of days, I have struggled to understand what it means to be a prayer warrior. Prayer is something, that most people know how to start. But why is praying, so hard for us to do? It appears prayer becomes a convenient practice, when we are struggling. Yet, when all is well..... prayer seems like a distance memory.

Thus far, this has been my mindset. Prayer is important, vital to survive this battle we are fighting. As I inch, closer to the mission field. I'm beginning to realize, prayer MUST become a persistent and daily practice. I have been convicted of my lack of prayer.

Often times, its a "churchy term" we throw around. "I will pray for you brother/sister." But do we really mean it? Or is something we say in the "heat of the moment" that sounds right and originally "churchy"?

Those are the questions I ponder. I've been told by many people, that they will be praying for me. But do they mean it? But how can we make prayer more than, just a meal time ritual?

When I leave for Japan. Prayer will be key to my spiritual survival. Satan knows what I am doing and he does not like it. Prayer is important, it requires us to fight our spiritual battles on our knees, rather than on your own.

What does your prayer life look like?

More to come from my thoughts, while at training. New blog in the works, will be launched in 2012.

The Other Side

Conflict, being challenged, and simply feeling you got the raw deal its inevitable in this life. All those things come our way, whether we like them are not. Yet, whenever our rage, sadness, disappoint, angry, disgust, and all other emotions come into play. Its hard to see the other side.

We get so fixated our own personally custom made view that only pleases our perspective of the situation. We become disillusioned by the truth and take no time to hear people out. We rely on assumptions and speculation. At times, we paint a false picture of the entire situation.

However, its not only important to hear people view's, but to dig deep together as to why? People ruin friendships based on what they think and fail to seek what's the truth.

We avoid conflict and being challenged for that very reason. That we maybe wrong and they are right. Its one the world's greatest motivations we have. To center everything to ourselves, when the reality is, other people are involved.

The underline point. When you encounter a problem with a friend, family, think first to seek how they feel. Then express your view, when the feeling is raw we tend to be so bias and critical of the other.

It's a tricky thing to do, but it's imperative. One day in the future you will dawn on it and it will bother you. Seek forgiveness, give forgiveness that's the heart of it all.

To see, feel, and experience the other side.

The Push

God allows us, to go through certain things. So that, in the future we are equipped to help someone going through something similar.

Case and point. A young 20 year old man who was born with a bum leg. When he was little, he could not go to school, because his leg would not allow him to walk great distances. He never finished school, also, he found out he has a learning disability. Through all this he is trying to learn English. He feels alone, stupid, ill- equipped for his own ambitions.

I know, the struggle of feeling insufficient towards school. I also know the battle of having a learning disability. He has been a life long battle. So, I sat there hold back tears, praying for a friend. But, when I finished the prayer. I told him that he must have confidence in himself, but more importantly confidence in the plans that Jesus has for him.

The push was given. I too received a push from someone who helped me, when I felt just like this 20 year old. The push is to seek God fully to know that you know nothing, that you must fully surrender.

Our conversation ended. The push had been given he was smiling. We exchanged contact information. I could not help but cry and see that God had just shown himself to him.

That my struggle, inability was used as strength for someone else. He waved bye. I now realize your weakness is your strength.

Consistency: People Are Inconsistent

As humans we can try to be consistent in everything we do. Yet, we will fail in this endeavor, we call consistency. We want it, most of us want to emulate it. But the reality is we are not built to be consistent. The only thing that really is consistent is how inconsistent we are....

Which brings me to this. I grew up in a very consistent environment. My family was a family that strive for consistency. My parents were always there for my brother, sister and I. We always had food on the table. There were no internal family struggles, that were tearing us apart. But, by no means were we perfect. Overall, I had an expectation of people, because of my environment. That people were going to be consistent.

It has taken me a long time to realize. People will fail you, hurt you, deceive you among other things. But the real problem is that most of us, hinge everything we have on people. In many ways, its a 50/50 chance of success or fail. Not good odds.

So, over time I have started to see my reliance on people. And why I have pursued it human interaction, friendships, relationships etc. Those things are good, but they can hinder us in our pursuit of relying on something much bigger and better.

Hebrew 13:8 clearly states the consistency of Christ. Which means his love, patience, wisdom, hope, goodness and all that He is remains the same. It never changes, Christ does not leave you, ignore you, deceive you, like people.

Our dependence should be on Christ and Christ alone. You might say, this is obvious! And I would respond with " of course" but why do we neglect this simple truth? Why do we so heavily rely on people to fix things for us?

Christ is the only constant we will ever encounter. People are a crutch to us, in allowing God to be our constant.

People can serve as a great outlet for us. It is imperative to have people around us to cry with, listen too, vent too, and fellowship together.

But don't let it become your crutch in approaching God for your ultimate source of consistency.

Roots: I'm a Panamexrican

Hello, my fellow bloggers.

It has been quite some time.

When I was little I was embarrassed of my background. Background meaning, ethnicity.
My dad is from Mexico, my mom is from Panama. I grew up with Spanish being my first language. However, overtime my kindergarten teacher realized how poor my English was, so she suggested I get tested.

After several test, I was diagnosed with a learning disability. It was recommended to my parents, that they speak English to me. Once this happen, my connection to my roots, my culture, slowly, faded away. Language is the key to understanding your culture.

I understood Spanish, but I dare not speak it. Even with my family from Mexico or Panama I refused to speak it. I grew embarrassed of where I came from, where my parents were from.

They pronounced words differently in English. My dad would kiss my forehead in public before he dropped me off for school. I hated that. Kids would laugh.

I felt very alone, going to a predominantly, white school I had no one to relate to. Over time, I grew accustomed to my environment. I grew further away, from my culture, my family in Mexico and Panama. To be frank, I did not have the slightest interest in getting to know them. I hated traveling down to either country.

But once I hit the latter part of middle school. My interest sparked. I decided to take Spanish classes in high school. Perhaps, it was only a matter of time. That my interest in my culture, my family history would matter to me.

After years, of catching up on my Spanish. College came around and I took advance classes. I decided to minor in Spanish. Turned out to be one of the best decisions I made.

The underline point: I struggled with my identity. I had an identity crisis. In high school, I was surrounded by people who looked like me, talked like me, had parents from other countries. It was comforting.

Now I can say I am proud of who I am. Where my parents come from, that they both speak Spanish. That my cousins and grand parents live thousand of miles away. That is my reality. And in time I embraced it.

I finally, took pride in my culture, my family, and all the other elements surrounding it.

Which begs the question. Are you proud of your culture, family background? I know a lot of people who struggle with this. We come from the same piece of land we call earth, though we may not look alike. We do share a commonality. We all have a story of family, culture, language, and experiences etc.

Remember that! This world is a diverse world. It took me a long time to see that. But when I realized it, my eyes opened up to a whole new world.

I'm proud to say I'm a Panamexrican!

Milestones

Is it just me,or do milestones bring reflection?

Perhaps..... however, milestones do come. It brings a weird sensation to the body, the psyche... your thought process the idea of accomplishment.

Which brings me to this, why the feeling? Maybe, we feel we are done and are able to move to something new?

Milestones are humbling, they allow us to understand regardless of creed or belief that there's something out there, something bigger and better. For me that bigger, stronger thing would be Jesus. Though I believe the Lord made an imprint on this milestone....

Milestones are not reached without the encouragement, love, and audacity of people pushing you.

Milestones: Many more to come and more stories to tell of how the kindness of people make a difference.

Milestones equal an opportunity to see humanity in a whole different light.

Imagine that!

The Crossroad

It has been a long time, since I can remember when so much was happening at once. Life presents unique opportunities as time goes on. However, like anything else there are bad and good seasons.

But, we still have the freedom to decide. To take a leap of faith and take the plunge.

Which leads me to this.... the crossroads. Many us have been through them, going through them, or waiting to go through them. Regardless, its inevitable.

We will be confronted with the forces of choice, anticipation, hurt, anger, separation victory, defeat, fear, love and many others. Its different for everybody and we learn along the way.

But we must take a road.
The decision is our own.


Perhaps, life is one big crossroad after another.

So, How Are You?

Often times, I think we claim to be a lot busier then we really are. God forbid we exert more effort during our daily grind of life. We get so consumed with what we are doing that, we forget about the simple things of life. For example, conversations, asking how some is doing, helping someone out.

Yesterday, I was reading for a class. I was trying to catch up on some reading. For the last couple of days I have been getting no sleep. So, I figure I read at school so I could go to sleep when I got home. However, while I was reading I was interrupted by a former classmate from South Korea. He sat down and proceed to talk in his broken english. He said hi.... he paused waiting for me to reply. In my mind I rolled my eyes and asked ... So,how are you?

He then basically talked to me for about a hour. I had lost my place in the book. I did not remember what I read,or what notes I jotted down. But Sung Sue was happy I listen to him, even though he had no idea I was sleepy and grumpy.

But the reality is I had time. I could have easily said " Hey man, I'm reading nice seeing you." Sure, there are times for that, those times are appropriate. But I was just reading, I was in no rush. The truth I just did not want to be bothered.

Sung Sue, left. I started my reading all over. But it hit me, I would want someone in my position to do the same thing. I thought of all the times people asked how my day was... or listen to me.

The principle is simple ask someone how they are doing. And you have made more of an impact then you can imagine. In many ways, its a lost art, it shows you care. That you are willing to take up some of your time. Let's face, we have down time. We are not that busy, we just claim to be.

So, how are you?

The Cost Of Honesty

I parked my car, grabbed my backpack and started to walk towards campus. Suddenly, I heard a loud noise, metal colliding against metal. A guy had swung his car door to hard and hit some one's car. The hit was minor, nothing to fuss about. However, the guy went to his dashboard pulled out a pen,notebook and started jotting down his information.

Honest, right? There are many scenarios that require honesty. The reality is a lot of times its easier not to be honest. No one was around the car that the guy scarped. He could have easily walked away. No one would have known. I bet the owner of the hit car would not even recognize the mark.

But this individual, took the liberty of making sure the owner had his contact information. Who knows what will come of it. But it cost something. Perhaps, nothing that will make the guy cringe, but he hit the car.

A lot of times we are put in a scenario where it is quite obvious that we need to be honest. Sometimes the cost is high or relatively low. Regardless, honesty is important. Honest does cost something: reputation, relationships, security, money etc.

Honesty is not about comfort or convenience. Its about, owning up to what you need to be honest about.

The question that lingers in my mind.

Will I be honest, even if it proves costly?

Scared and Excited

It appears that its only habitual to be scared and excited at the same. When we are confronted with something completely new. The only analogy I can come up with is a new boyfriend or girlfriend. You excited about the potential and what it brings like love, companionship, and a friend. However, there's the scared part... that it might blow up in your face. The unexpected elements that it brings like heartbreak, opening yourself up to a stranger, and the conflict that it produces.

In short, I am eluding to the mission field as a mate. You pour your tears, effort and time into a particular people group, country and try to assess the needs. Each situation provides different obstacles and challenges. In many ways, our time and experience is determined on how we respond. Adversity and conflict is inevitable no matter what we do.

My underline point is that we want something so bad it becomes reality. We can't help but have a whole host of emotions like being scared and excited at the same time.

As I received my letter which holds the country in which I have been picked for. Those emotions came into place. I smiled and opened it and was not surprised by the choice.

A simple stroke of the pen will commit me, to this country. I'm afraid, I have doubts... However, I have excitement of the potential and challenge it presents. This place is not my first choice, but God is pulling in a direction I never saw coming.

My mind has been spinning since. A decision must be made.

By faith....

The Missionary Road

I walked in all dressed up, which is rare. I took a seat took my jacket off and he asked " How are you, Jose?"

I smiled and said... "Good, thanks." I had just entered my interview for potentially, becoming a full time missionary with the International Mission Board. It was a long time coming in mind, for this very moment.

However, butterflies were erupting out of sheer excitement. Yet, once the interview started, I realized something was going to change fast. The interview was hard, revealing, and refreshing at the same time. He asked, every personal question known to mankind. He asked, questions my friends have never asked me.

He came in shooting. I came in unprepared. All in all, the interview was humbling my 4 days in Richmond, Virgina were humbling.

Bombarded with a plethora of opportunities in the mission field, that take you all over the globe.

I learned in my short time, that the mission can be unforgiven and treacherous. But it can bear fruit that will last a lifetime. I have been called down this missionary road.

For along time I have dreamed of traveling to spread the Gospel to others. Yet, the 4 days of orientation serve as a remind that the road will be hard and rewarding.

There will be days I will feel like throwing in the towel. Others, I feel on top of the world. I have the learned that this road is about deny yourself, all the time!

God has control, no matter the continent. He will reveal Himself to the lost. I am merely a messenger at best.

The missionary road will undoubtedly, be life changing....

Incremental Progress

I was 18 years old .... I was in many ways at a crossroad in my life. At 18 is when I started to see things, in a different light. I was becoming more mature, took people's emotions into account.

Five years later... I can safely say, I have grown. However, there is still a lot to learn. Yet, the progress was incremental.

Many of us need to change want to change. Yet, we allow fear and laziness to lurk. We see progress when we put work into it.

A lot of times, it maybe incremental and that is okay! Usually, progress is not meant to be conquered in one day. For example, a basketball players... they practice multiple hours, days, and even years. The progress is incremental, but it comes full circle its quite the sight.


Keep going....

Maxed Out

Is it possible, to have reached your fullest potential in one particular place? That it might be time to move on?


Often times, especially with college students I see discontent. They are not happy with what they are doing, they see no purpose. Perhaps, this the the common dilemma most college student encounter.

To be honest, I can relate I feel a purpose, yet I feel, that I'm ready to go. To leave what I know best, the comforts of familiarity and luxury. Is it weird to think, I can learn more elsewhere?

These are questions I ask and many others. Wanting a change of daily reality.

Rather, the question I ask ..... is have I maxed out? One season leads to the next.

My impatience has hit critical mass. However, the time will come.....

Just wishing it would happen sooner.

Just a thought.....

Just Pray

The other night my dad received a call from his sister who lives in Monterrey, Mexico. From the look on his face, he looked concerned. After the conversation I asked what happened? He told me, that one of my aunt's clients in front of her laundry mat was robbed at gun point. It was a member of the drug cartels in Mexico.

Recently, the border of Mexico has seen a spurt of killings from the cartel. This problem is not old, however, the cartel have gotten more sophisticated over time. It's not just the poor people, who are easy to exploit who are being targeted, but people of middle class status, not to mention wealthy people. This new turn of events has caused a stir within the entire nation of Mexico. People are canceling vacation plans to visit family. The resorts are seeing fewer people coming to vacation on the beaches. The Mexican government thus far, as shown that they are not capable of preventing this unrest and fear the drug cartel have instilled in all of Mexico and the border towns of the U.S.

The other day in the San Antonio Express News there was a story about a missionary who was shot driving back from Mexico. The Cartel wanted the nice looking truck.But her husband started to speed up, but the cartel started shooting and a bullet went through the head of his wife. Senseless, right? A couple pouring their lives into a region that is in great need.

I can't help, but think about what if that was my aunt. My family, my blood and that's a cold reality to this. I stood there trying to formulate thoughts on what next? My aunt could have been that woman, my aunt witnessed the whole thing.

What can I do? I want to do something, but what? Later that night, I began to pray for the nation of Mexico.

So that's, what I will do.... pray. Pray for the cartel, the government, the people of Mexico. This comes to my main point. Who are you praying for? There are a lot of needs around the globe. The reality is we can't be there to help with all of them.

But God can, He is our hope. The light of this very dark world. This lesson may seem cliche, but when tragedy strikes, who else do we turn too?

Pray..... It's the beginning of something powerful and special.

God Willing

I was once told... " You want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans." God is not in the business of comfort. He never intended us, to have life free of strife.

So, when we as Christians say... God willing I will....? There are some power to those words. Many times, its habitual for us to say God willing. We can choose to follow that will or not.

But the gravity of saying God willing is a heavy one. A lot of times we say it, without flinching. God's will will be done, no matter what. However, its on us to decide how we respond. To the will of God and trust Him no matter the circumstances. Easier said then done.

Bottom line. God's will for our lives is something that can be very evident to us, or completely mysterious.

Regardless, God never fails and neither does His will.

I pray we accept God's will for our lives.

Immersion

Immersion- submergence: sinking until covered completely with water.

Immersion...... How many of us immerse ourselves in our job, family, or friends etc? Yet, we neglect to immerse ourselves in things, that are very unfamiliar to us. I believe immersion is a great outlet to really understand what we are trying to do. Immersion takes a level of commitment and passion in what you are immersing yourself into.

Covered completely... how many of us have taken ourselves out of our comfort zone? And really engaged in immersing ourselves into something unfamiliar to us.

I see people really immerse themselves in many things. But the question I always struggle with is, for what? What will it lead to once your covered completely? Do you just stop?

The bottom line: do we immerse ourselves for the sake of doing something, or do we have a purpose behind our immersion????

Just a thought.

Sometimes

Sometimes. life, situations, or events push us to the edge. It requires that we dig deep and do what is needed.

At times, life requires us to push hard.

Sometimes.....

We have times when we must handle adversity in a whole different way. Some may learn, others may drown in pity. But I believe through any struggle there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I like to read Matthew 4 and I'm always reminded that Jesus was tempted as well. He never fell into temptation, but he was tempted by Satan himself. That Jesus wept, he was betrayed by Judas and even Peter. He was doubted by Thomas after his resurrection.

I love Philippians 2, especially verse 5-8. These verses express the humility involved when Jesus came in human likeness. It's humbling to think the Savior of the universe had adversity come his way, for our sake. He endured the cross for us!

So sometimes, we must push hard. Life is not an easy thing. But their is light, Jesus sealed this truth with his death on the cross. Life is brutal and can take a toll on us. But we do have something to look forward too...

When that sometimes comes..... Think Jesus knows what you are going through and will even walk by your side through the storm.

Humbling....

The Cycle Of Life

Recently, our family had a family friend lose her battle to cancer.

Death is inevitable.

Its the cycle of life.

With the new year just starting. I see a lot of people "committing" themselves to new year's resolutions. Every year people strive to use the new year as a marker for change. When in reality they can choose to change before that. That they do not need a new year to usher in new ideas on how they can better their lives.

I believe we all want to live a life that is full of purpose. But in order to have true purpose, change is imperative. Year after year people start new things for the new year. But never really follow through.

We all will die one day. You do not need to wait for the new year to change. Start now!

The cycle of life waits for no one.

Just a thought.