| I began 2006 by writing my first article ever. I wrote | | | | been a piece of cake. But without them, life in a |
| aboutembracing changes in my life in pursuit of | | | | bubblewould get lonely. |
| happiness. In retrospect, Ibelieve now that I was | | | | If I have learned one thing, it is that dealing with |
| giving myself a bit of a pep talk. To say I | | | | adversity in apositive manner is the key to happiness. |
| wasstarting the year with challenges would be an | | | | There is no magic answer. It takesdetermination and |
| understatement. My marriageof fourteen years was | | | | work. I read books, listened to advice from friends |
| ending, something I seemed determined to insure. | | | | andfamily, but most of all, I worked at it. I worked |
| Ifelt stagnant at work. My one bedroom apartment | | | | on me. Slowly, the daysof happiness started to string |
| was anything but a home. | | | | together. Small winning streaks turned intolarger ones. |
| And yet, I had the nerve to write about embracing | | | | Before long there were only fleeting moments of |
| change. | | | | frustration ordown times. And even those were |
| At the time, I was not convinced that it could work. | | | | bearable. |
| I wasconvinced however, that I had to try | | | | As the new-year approached, I reflected on my life |
| something. I had given up drinking,and although it had | | | | in 2006. For the firsttime in many years I had nothing |
| only been a couple of months, I was proud of my | | | | but fond memories. Even the times thatwere difficult |
| smallaccomplishment. I made only two resolutions: to | | | | produced some sense of accomplishment for the |
| continue a life of sobrietyand to truly apply myself in | | | | way I was ableto come through them. It was a |
| all aspects to just be happy. Much to mysurprise, the | | | | whirlwind of activity including movingtwice, divorce, |
| first proved to be much easier for me than the | | | | and putting my dog down. But, it also included |
| second. | | | | anoutstanding season on the softball field, travel, |
| Luckily it worked out that way because failure on | | | | buying a new home, andrescuing the most lovable |
| resolutionnumber one would have doomed resolution | | | | dog in the world from a shelter. |
| number two. Although my desire tofind happiness | | | | Most of all, it was a year of falling in love again. I met |
| sounds less than concise, I had no other way to get | | | | a wonderfulwoman who came complete with an |
| my handsaround the concept. I followed simple rules | | | | incredible five year-old son. And, justbefore |
| of goal setting like breakinglarge goals down into | | | | Christmas, I learned that I was going to be a father. |
| smaller, achievable, and measurable goals. The | | | | What startedas a vague resolution to be happy has |
| onlyway I could think of to do this was in time | | | | resulted in the most unexpectedfeeling of all, |
| increments. Day by day seemedto fit the bill. | | | | fulfillment. |
| Three hundred and sixty-five little goals, no problem! I | | | | I would be remiss if I did not take thisopportunity to |
| wokeup each day vowing to take positive steps | | | | thank all of those who have helped me in my |
| towards my daily goal. I achievedmore than I failed | | | | journey. Thereare too many to name, but you know |
| as the year went along. Like everyone, I | | | | who you are. Your support is trulyappreciated and I |
| encountered myshare of problematic circumstances | | | | love you all. |
| and obstacles. If it were not for them,it would have | | | | |