Happy New Beginnings
by Mike Whitehead
On January 20th, all the talk about change will become a reality as we swear in the 44th president of the United States. Barack Obama is entering a world of considerable challenges which require great intention and resolve to accomplish his commitments.
At the beginning of 2009, many of us are also “swearing in” our commitment to the upcoming year. Whether we give voice to a formal resolution or not, whether we are feeling troubled or optimistic, each new year has that feeling of promise - a clean slate. There is a sense of renewal and energy toward a new day. For some reason, on January 1st, we embrace the ability to change.
In an intentional life, every day is ‘New Year's Day’. Every day offers the ability to set a goal, deliver upon our word, and see the results. Some days the results are amazing and energizing – we are ready to do it again tomorrow. And others – "it’s dark, its cold, I’m tired, it doesn’t make a difference, who cares…” It is how we handle these days that determine how change will affect us.
As we embark on a new year, under new leadership, in a new economic environment, change is something we can welcome, or resist. We can choose to be resilient and creative, or fight to maintain what has been comfortable. At Whitehead Associates, we are not immune to the transitioning economy. We just completed building a conference center to conduct seminars, training and to lease for events, and have added several new members to our team. This is not without stress. It is not without days that have me wishing things could be easier or feel better or more secure – but I have a choice each morning, and my commitment is to fulfill the purpose we set out to achieve when we began building our company and our mission.
So each morning I commit to my health with a run, stretching, or a game of basketball. I am committed to our clients and creating lasting positive change in the community; each evening I am committed to conversation and connection with my family. And while some days are better than others, each day I wake up and go to sleep with a sense of purpose.
As we begin this journey together, we have the ability to identify and pursue purpose in whatever we do. The new year and welcoming a new leader is the perfect opportunity for us to do this together. I invite you to join us at our new conference center to celebrate a new day, with new and familiar faces as we create a bridge to the future.
On January 20th we will celebrate the inauguration with an event to create community and connection. Our intention is to gather a building filled with purposeful people to eliminate outdated boundaries created by culture, age, race, political leaning, religion, whatever category or roadblock that has kept us apart – and CELEBRATE the ability to live life with intention, purpose, and being our word.
Click the graphic to the top right for more details and to RSVP for the January 20th event. As one of our friends who have been on the path of intentionality with us for the past 10 years, it is our hope to share this meaningful time with you and others you might like to extend this invitation to.
We hope to see you there.
Mike