2009 - Understand backwards; Live forwards?

Today is the first day of 2009 and it’s stinking hot here in Brisbane! I’m guessing the cinemas will be full of people escaping the heat and anywhere near water will be crowded with swimmers. I’m doing neither. The house is finally quiet as family and friends have driven to find some air-conditioning so I thought I’d spend a few minutes saying Happy New Year to you all.

A few days ago I went to see the movie ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’. It is based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald inspired by Mark Twain’s quote ‘Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen.’

Which caused me to question ‘Why do we have a problem with growing old?’ In our culture, we seem to have a distain for old age. Other cultures revere their elderly, acknowledging that, in general, their life has bought them experiences resulting in wisdom and insight that younger generations can benefit from. I like to think that as I grow older I too grow in wisdom that can be shared with others.

So, I’ve decided to approach 2009 inspired more by the following quote:

‘Often people attempt to live their lives backward. They try to have more things or more money in order to do more of what they want so they will be happy. The way it works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.’

(Author: Margaret Young)

What about you? Will 2009 be a year for you when you learn who you really are? Not an easy New Year’s Resolution but a worthwhile one.

Will it be a year of taking the steps to uncover and discard the layers that hide the real you by healing the hurts and resolving issues?

Will it be a year of self-discovery that leads to living a life of purpose and fulfillment?

What changes do you want in your life? - they all start with change in yourself.

During 2008 I’ve been on an incredible journey of learning who I really am and I’m determined to continue this walk even further during 2009. If you want to walk this journey too but don’t want to travel alone, then I invite you to visit my web site and contact me.

“Life can only be understood backward; it must be lived forward’
(The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - trailer)

Let’s live life walking forward!

Happy New Year 2009!

Carolyn