New Year has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, looking forward to the year ahead. It is also a time we reflect on the present moment and the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes.

Make some quiet time to reflect on the following 10 questions as you take an honest look back on 2005 and look ahead to 2006.

1. What did you celebrate this past year?

2. When did you feel most alive in 2005?

3. What did you feel most grateful about in 2005?

4. What was the happiest moment for you in 2005? What was important about experience?

5. What decision(s) have you been avoiding in 2005? What have you been tolerating this past year and what will be the consequences if you keep putting these things off?

6. What do you expect from yourself in the year ahead?

7. Imagine that 2006 could be your best year ever, what changes would you want (or need) to make? What is preventing you from making these adjustments today? What's your biggest fear?

8. What would you like more of in your life? What would you need to let go of?

9. If you could challenge your mind and expand your horizon by learning something new in 2006, what would it be? And what would be important about that?

10. If you were to be FULLY engaged in the process of your life, what is the first change you would start to make?

When asked how he made his statue of David, Michelangelo said, "It is easy. You just chip away the stone that doesn't look like David."

Think of your dreams and aspirations as a block of marble. Are you ready to put the chisel to work and discover your personal treasures hidden within your own block of marble? Are you ready to create a personal masterpiece in 2006?

Published: January 10, 2006

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