The end of one year and the beginning of another is the perfect time for taking stock of the year past and making resolutions for the year about to begin. The most interesting resolutions are those we make for personal growth, the focus and effort we make to become as Matthew Kelly would say  ‘the best version of ourselves’.

I often find it useful at this time to take myself to the end of my life and look back at it. I ask myself: when I get to that point what do I want my legacy to be? That perspective helps me focus on the most important facets of my life: my relationships with my family and friends and my capacity for being generous with the three T’s – time, talent and treasure. It also helps me to set priorities; my husband before my kids, my family before my career and to aim for personal growth. So that when December 31, 2012 rolls around I’m a better person than the person I am today.

So three things that I have found useful are to:

1. Spend sometime each day in thoughtful reflection, meditation or prayer.

Spend some time each day in the classroom of silence – Matthew Kelly

2. Keep a dream journal. Write down your hopes and dreams. Create passion for the life you are living.

3. Take stock at the end of each day. Be grateful for your blessings and ask forgiveness for your mistakes. Before you go to bed, be at peace.

Those three pauses in my day have made a tremendous difference in my ability to embrace each day with passion and purpose. I share them with you. Happy New Year!