If you're happy and you know it...

The end of the year is almost here. For many, it's a time of reflection and, almost, a time of sadness. They look back at what's been lost and feel nostalgic for good times gone by. For me, I much prefer to look ahead to the bright, shiny future that lays before me. The new year is more than a celebration for the year's end. It's also a celebration of new beginnings. I think it's very appropriate that on New Year's Eve, old Father Time represents the year gone by, and the new year is represented by a happy little baby. Every January 1 we all get to be that new baby...in my case a tadpole...full of wonder and possibility. The world is ours for the taking. I always find it helpful (and maybe you will, too) to sit quietly and "meditate" on what I want to see happen for myself over the next twelve months. When you sit in silence, you'll be amazed at what can happen. The fog clears and your true beliefs, hopes and desires float to the surface. There's no need to chant mantras, unless of course you want to. All that is required is a few minutes of undisturbed quiet. Always, at the top of my "wish" list is to be grateful for all I have. Gratitude for the life you live, paves the way for more and better things to roll in. Folowing closely behind gratitude is inner happiness. With happiness comes better health, a sense of optimism for the future and, more importantly, a believe that no matter what the future does bring, the sun will rise again tomorrow bringing us a new day and a new beginning. There's a popular children's song that goes, "If your happy and you know it clap your hands..." I have flippers so clapping is a little more difficult for me, but I sure can do a happy dance! However you choose to show your exhuberance, do it. Sure, go ahead and celebrate the passing of 2015. Shed a few tears if you must. But then, get happy and realize that your future is as bright and shiny, as full of hope and promise as you want it to be. 2016 is almost upon us so now is a good time to focus on what you want to happen. Don't waste your resolutions on frivolous things like weight lose or getting into better shape.Those are the kinds of resolutions that tend to fade by mid-January. Instead, focus on meaningful things; do some inner work and improve your core self. And when you do, the happier, more content version of yourself will automatically want to exercise and lose the excess pounds.
It's time for me to get my own resolution list in order, then I'm going to do the best happy dance this frog can do! 2015 has been frog-tastic, but I know that 2016 will be toad-ally amazing!