Lighting The Way For Others

At the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all with physical or mental challenges, assembled at the starting line for the 100 meter dash. When the starting gun sounded they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race till the finish and win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple times, and began to cry. The other eight contestants heard the boy cry. The other contestants slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back......every single one of them. One girl with Downs Syndrome bent down and kissed the little boy and said, "this will make it better." Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood up and cheered for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story. Why? Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course. If you pass this on, we may be able to change our hearts as well as someone else's. Remember, "A candle looses nothing by lighting another candle." E. Pasztor.

2014: New Year's Resolutions & Hesitations

With the Holidays behind us, and the New Year on the horizon, you can almost feel the world expelling a massive sigh of relief; all at once. In fact, you can almost hear people saying, “I've made it through another year!” Annual survivors are older, and hopefully a little wiser, with money lost and gained, many having hearts broken and mended, new friends made and opportunities experienced and explored. The world threw all it had at me, and I kept on coming. Rejoice, now is the time of new beginnings. You get to dust off the previous year and start anew. Reflect on who you were and what you did, and envision who you will be and what you have yet to do. Reinvention and renewal await us all within the New Year. However, as exciting as all this can be, the New Year is also a time of great fear and trepidation, regret and indecision. Will I fall into the same patterns that I always have? Am I ready to change? What if I fail? These questions and many others often race through our heads and weigh heavy on our hearts as we prepare for the New Year. For some, these reflections may change the way they view the world and the people in it. It may even seem like they are against you, and you have little to no chance at change and happiness. Remember, the future is a blank slate. It is up to you, to snuff out these nagging thoughts and doubts. To say I will try, because if I don’t I have already failed. The path can be long and uneven, full of loose stones that cause you to stumble. Know that it isn’t if you fall, but rather how you choose to regain your stride when you do. Be firm in your decision, and stay committed to whatever direction you have chosen. Challenges await, but so does victory. Happy New Year from all of us at North Valley Anger Management Consultants! For more information about North valley Anger Management Consultants and our services, please visit our website at www.nvamc.com or call us at 1-888-992-6479.