Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Judy Mosley

A new year is racing toward us.  Already, the hopes and dreams of New Years are rising within us.  Often we label these as resolutions, decisions that this year, we will accomplish the things we have wanted to do for so long.  Lose weight.  Quit smoking.  Make the bed every day.  This is the year that our lives will be better.

But there is something all of us must do before we step into a new future.  We must let go of the past.  

The joys, pains, heartaches, and the triumphs must all be relinquished before we can expect to enter the future with open hands and open hearts.

Many people refuse to let go of the past because they believe the good days are over.  Whatever joy they had, for a certain period in their lives, is impossible to have now.  And they even refuse any good that might come to them because it’s different from what they experienced in the past.

Others cannot let go because their past was so excruciating.  Instead of moving through the pain and allowing healing to come into their hearts, they allow the pain they feel to make all the decisions about their life.  They can’t imagine that life could be different and so they cling to the walls that they have built for themselves, even if those walls are no longer necessary.

Letting go of the past is never easy.  It’s more like a journey to be taken rather than a flat-out yes or no decision.  Even so, there are some beginning steps that we can take that will help to ensure our success on this journey: Read More »

This is the First in a Series of Articles on Goal Setting

by Make The Days Count Contributor Philip Wood

Back in Chicago for my first winter in nearly twenty years, I’m faced with the harsh reality that I am about to abandon one of my oldest goals.  Shortly after leaving the City all those years ago, I vowed never to own a winter coat again.  I woke this morning to a temperature of 8 degrees.  Although I considered the notion inviting, hibernation does not appear to be a realistic option.

I’ll have to buy a coat today.

Thankfully, the mild weather held longer this year than most.  I am grateful that I have been able to stall the inevitable parka purchase.  I’m grateful as well that my youthful boast stood for as long as it did.  As the weather changes and snow begins to pile up, my snow gear stall reminds that it’s the time of year for procrastination.  In a few short weeks, 2008 will become 2009 and many of us will make New Year’s resolutions. Read More »

Nine Essential Guidelines as We Face Change and for Living Our Day-to-Day Lives

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Judy Mosley

Every year, I plant sunflowers by the side of our house.  As I leaf through the seed packets, I always fall for the 12 ft. variety, the kind that stands like sentinels as I enter my driveway.  Each year, I plant about 20-25 and check daily to see the progress.

But every year, there is a period when I don’t know what to do.  It’s like an in-between time for me as well as the plants.  I can’t see their growth.  Every day, I walk over and check for sprouts and for a time, see no evidence that I planted anything at all. Then the worry starts. Read More »

Article and Photograph by Make The Days Count Contributor Ann Wilkinson

What do you conjure up in your mind when you think of the word “creativity”?  Do you think of an artist wielding a paintbrush or a charcoal pencil?  Do you think of an actor on stage interpreting her lines?  Do you think of a master musician creating a complex piece of music?  Do you ever picture yourself in any of these scenes of creativity? 

You are a creative person by nature.  We all are.  Perhaps you have let this aspect of yourself go with your busy day-to-day life of work, bills, commuting, children and their priorities.  But have you considered that you can continue to explore your creative side, even in the midst of the day-to-day?  And, if you can add little bits of creativity to your daily routine, you may find that you become increasingly creative and gradually more satisfied with your life. Read More »

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Derrick Torrens

Hormones raging and hairs sprouting, it gives off that Wild Kingdom vibe.  It’s primal, it’s territorial, and it might even be human.  It’s a teenager.  

So many of us treat our dealings with teens as if you are an explorer landing on a distant world.  Phasers on stun we don’t know if they are lethal.  How soon we forget what people must have thought looking at us.  Some of us are still getting looked at like that, HELLO. 

Say hi to seven long years of looking at someone and truly not understanding him or her.  That reminds me of my love life, but I digress.  Saying things like “in my time” (what is “my time”) or “today’s kids” (how long does “today” last) isn’t bringing you any closer to the truth that you already know.  We were all and are all going through the same trials and tribulations. Read More »