What will you do with your 4 years?

The holidays are over and I breath a heavy sigh of relief. Another year has passed quicker than the one before. I've spent many a moment or two, thinking of the resolutions that I should make. I contemplate the ones for myself, my marriage, and my family. Goals that I will seriously consider, write down and aspire to for the next few months until life crowds in and I forget those loafty goals in the midst of the breathless race to get the usual mundane things done. Sad, but true! I always make an effort and with renewed determination, I will set out to make this new year better. I'm very happy to say that in years past I've actually achieved a few of my previous goals. I've changed my career goals several times: owning a successful business, then moving on to search for more a meaningful career. That search took a few years and I'm very happy with my present position. I've taken my love for drama and writing and fulfilled a few goals there as well. I've published a few plays and short stories. I have been given the oppportunity to work in films, TV and on live stage which has opened my mind to endless possibilities of writing. I hope to produce my own play and short film.And I vow to make a bigger effort to have a few things published and finish the two screenplays I already started but never finished. That will be my personal goals.

Now, I have finished putting in writing those personal resolutions. I am faced with the other two areas: marriage and family. Those goals must take a higher position over the other. So I took abit more than a moment to ponder it. As I did, ponder what I should resolute, I picked up the remote and went surfing cause it's easier to ponder when you're busy doing something. Reaching the History channel, I found myself trapped watching the programs that were special that week...Armageddon Week. Now, there's a great way to start the new year; watching as the screen assaults me with the mutiple theories of how life will forever change. We've all heard the rumors, the ancient prophecies, the mystical predictions and scientific speculations concerning the year 2012. It's some pretty darn scary stuff! I found myself awestruck, for lack of a better word! That's 3 years away! Just 3 short years and the world as we know it will cease to exist!

Of course, we don't really know that it's true and we have certainly seen plenty of people cry wolf in the past! Look at Y2K! That was a joke! However, I am not one to just dismiss without thought when it pertains to something of such monumental importance. With an open mind, I will look at all sides, listen to the experts from every area: science, religion, cultures, history, etc... I listened as it was shown that in all parts of the world, in many different cultures, there were prophets who spoke of this time.

What I found that was so interesting is that these people came from every area of the world in a time when they had no contact with each other. Yet, they all had similar predictions or revelations. Granted, many can say that the words of these prophets could be interpreted in any way, however there are certainly many who spoke quite clearly and not in poetic symbolism. Then to make it even more plausible, factor in the scientific experts who are now telling of the alignment of the earth with the center of the milky way, which will cause a shift in the axis of our earth. This shift will cause such a massive climate change that it will be a disaster of biblical proportions. How can I dismiss it all? If the Mayans were right in the their predictions to date, why would they suddenly be wrong about their last prediction? What does this mean to me? If I could look into some magical stone and see the visions that the prophets write about, what would that mean to me? And how does this affect the goals that I must set for my marriage and family?

Here is what I can say: In 4 years, there may or may not be a major change to life as we know it. However, if I allow myself to believe that there may be, then I must look at my life and say, "What will you do with your 3 years?" Wow! Now that does put things into perspective, now doesn't it? Even if the day Dec. 21, 2012 comes and goes without a whimper, I can say that my life was better because I prepared. If I can ask myself every day, "What are you going to do today with your 4 years?" Sure, work must be done, bills need to be paid, the house still needs to be cleaned but I know that with that question in my mind, I know that I will do more to savor every day than I ever did before. I will smile at strangers and more aware of the needs of others. I will hug my family and friends and each time I will savor it. Not a day will go by un-noticed! I will not ignore the glory of my life! I will not forget how precious my loved-ones are. I will not take for granted how freaking wonderful my friends are! I will stop and look at that sunset and marvel at the beauty of the world. Somehow, I think that I will be a better person for it. So now I challenge all who read this! Say it! Think it every day! What will you do with your 4 years?