Christmas Presents and New Year's Resolutions

When I was little, the best thing about the holidays was opening the presents on Christmas morning. I don't think I knew what a "resolution" was, much less did I ever make them as a kid. Now that I'm much older, it seems the reverse is true: the presents mean little and the resolutions become more important.

I will never forget when I was probably 6 years old, and I woke up at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning and found a brand-new bicycle assembled in the family room. It was pink and had a banana seat and a white basket with a horn. Dad was able to quickly attach the training wheels so I could start practicing right after breakfast. I also remember when dear old Dad started "hiding" presents in the tree itself. The year my brother and I found the tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters tucked between the branches was truly exciting.

As the years went along, my parents started giving me money for Christmas, which is a practice they continue today and is still greatly appreciated. I usually get to open a few things, but nothing really big. This year I did get two very special gifts from my staff. My Glendale Admissions team gave me a poster from the Chicago World's Fair of 1933 (I collect Chicago World's Fair memorabilia from 1893 and 1933). My Downers Grove staff made a donation to the PAWS Animal Shelter in my name (they know that three of my four pets are shelter adoptions).

But the greatest gift I received this year was being able to spend part of Christmas Day with my nephew Luke and neice Abby in Madison, WI. They got a Nintendo Wii for Christmas, so it was fun playing with their gift. Mostly, it was great sharing time with family and friends.

Photo: Abby, me, and Luke...after a brisk game of bowling on their new Wii

The gift I gave myself this year was a three-day trip to Miraval Spa in Tucson over the New Year's weekend. Being able to relax, get some wonderful spa treatments, enjoy healthy meals, hike in the Catalina Mountains, and read a few books for pleasure was a great way to end the year. I also had the opportunity to participate in one of Miraval's "challenge" activities, which give you the chance to complete a physical feat that you usually have to overcome mentally and emotionally. I chose the "Out on a Limb" challenge, where I had to first climb up a 30-foot utility pole and then walk across a 30-foot log. Needless to say, we were all attached to a rope just in case we didn't make it. I'm happy to say that I was able to walk all the way across the limb and overcome my fears and anxiety about being that high up in the air. As we made it to the end of the challenge, the instructor asked us to dedicate the journey to 2008. My resolution was to eliminate the concept of limitations from my life; to stop worrying about things "I can't" do and concentrate on things I want to accomplish. It is amazing what your mind can do when it is focused intently on a goal (in this case, walking 30 foot to reach another pole). I hope that I can transfer that memorable experience to every day life in the coming year.

Photo: Me at the end of my walk down the 30-ft log suspended 30-ft above the ground!

So, as we start off 2008, I hope you all had wonderful gifts to enjoy over the holiday season and I hope you have some challenging and meaningful resolutions to pursue in the new year. Best of luck to you as you overcome any obstacles to meeting your goals....and make the walk to the reach the end of your path!