John Sheda

First it was my New Year’s Resolutions, then my New Year’s Predictions. Forgive me, but before we move on with the rest of 2016, here are some final thoughts about the upcoming new year. I promise, this is the very last one. Scout’s Honor. Cross my heart.

Think about this for a moment or two. What’s one thing you’d like to change ABOUT YOURSELF? We all have certain things we’re not happy about. Remember, about ourselves, not others! Change comes in two categories; things we can control, or can change and things we cannot control or can’t change. Frustration, worry and anger about the way things are going often result because we’re trying to change or manipulate those areas we have no or very little control over. And this can be frustrating to say the least. At this moment, the Serenity Prayer comes to mind; changing the things I can change, accepting the things I cannot change and having the wisdom to know the difference between the two. So what’s something about yourself that you would like to change? The journey of a one thousand mile trip begins with that first step.

I heard one time that we all have that special moment in our lives to initiate positive change or at least movement in the right direction. Thirty-five years ago, I quit smoking. For some strange reason, it was time and I did it. Maybe as you’re reading this, or you’ve been thinking about it for some time, or you’re just sick and tired of it or some other reason and you decide that 2016 is going to be your year to begin your journey for change. If you are just the only person this column is speaking to, I simply say, YOU CAN DO IT!! There’s no secret formula. You just have to decide, enough’s enough and begin. That’s all. Again, YOU CAN DO IT. I found this poem (and you’ve probably seen it before), and feel free to cut it out and use it as a point of contact for victory for you.

Don’t Quit

By Anonymous

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit

Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and its turns,

As everyone of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about

When they might have won, had they stuck it out.

Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,

It seems to a faint and faltering man,

Often the struggler has given up

When he might have captured the victor’s cup;

And he learned too late when the night came down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far;

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,

It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit!

Good Luck and God Bless. Let me know how things are going at jsheda@indytel.com or call me at 319.327.4640. YOU CAN DO IT!!