Happy New Year!

So, here we are……2008.  It’s amazing to me how fast time passes.  It seems like only yesterday it was 2005.  Here are a few random thoughts of mine to start the year.

Our son woke up at 5:30am, so my wife and I both had an early start to the year! 

My Oregon Ducks trounced South Florida yesterday 56-21 in the Sun Bowl.  Most people (75% according to ESPN) picked South Florida to win.  It turned out to be no contest as the Ducks dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.  Our 4th string quarterback, Justin Roper, made his first start and threw 4 touchdown passes and 0 interceptions.  Johnathon Steward had a Sun Bowl record 253 yards rushing to go along with a rushing TD, and a TD catch.  Our defense smothered the Bulls and pushed their line around.  Complete Domination!

Ohio State and LSU playing for the National Title does nothing for me.  The BCS system really failed miserably this year.  The popularity contest in college football is getting old.  We need a playoff to see who the best team REALLY is, not just the most popular with the most fans.  Like nearly everything else, money will be the deciding factor, not what is really right and just.

Take some time in the New Year to stay in touch with your dear friends.  Friends and family are what make life really worthwhile.  Sharing special moments with those that you care about is one of the most important and rewarding things you can do.  As the saying goes, “It’s better to live in a tent with your true love than to live in a mansion by yourself.”  It’s a New Year, so be sure to renew those relationships.

Looking back on 2007, our family had a very good year.  We celebrated our son’s first bithday, did a fair amount of traveling and enjoyed spending a lot of time with close family.  Most of my resolutions came true, not quite all of them.  My own self-discipline is a constant work in progress.  Focus on what’s important.  As Jim Rohn says, “Most people major in minor things.”  I am working on majoring in the majors.  Spend time doing things that have a real impact on your quality of life.  Don’t waste too much time doing idle things that have no consequence.

One good idea I think is to be thankful for what you have.  We live in an age with it’s problems certainly, but we also enjoy abundant opportunity.  The greatest time in history where average people can achieve greatness and make a difference in the world.  We sometimes get caught up into thinking about all the things we don’t have that we wish we did.  One of life’s challenges is to be thankful for what you have while in pursuit of what you want. 

So, make plans for achievement.  Design the year ahead of time.  When you build a house, you don’t start building first, then decide what it’s going to look like.  No.  You start with a blueprint.  A plan of every single detail and how it will look, what it’s made of, exactly what size, etc.  Do the same with your life.  Don’t end up by accident somewhere, design your life ahead of time and make it happen.  Now is as good a time to start as any.  Remember the clean slate?

I have high hopes for the New Year in many ways.  My goals are lined up and my resolutions are on paper.  Now it’s time to make them come true!

We at Dadsworld wish you and your family the best, have a great 2008!