Author Bettye Johnson uses the New Years Eve theme together with the Winter Solstice to give a new meaning to both celebrations and creating a new future.

With New Years Eve just around the corner, there will be some people celebrating the passing of the old year, and welcoming in the New Year with an expectancy of a bright new year filled with wonderful changes or out to have a good time. It is a time to celebrate.

There are also some people wishing for a new them, or a 'new you.' I know people who have had face-lifts wanting to have a new look. I have a sense that the change they seek is not a physical new look, but something within that wants a change. There can be a new you and it does not have to be a face-lift or a holiday celebration. All lasting change must come from within.

The New Years Eve celebration is an extension of the Winter Solstice—celebrated for eons by the ancient ones. The Winter Solstice is the changing of the length of days with the solstice being the shortest day of the year. There is a brief moment when the sun stops and starts anew on its journey to lengthen the days. In the year of 2007, it occurs on December 22 and in 2008 on December 21.

The solstice also heralds letting go of the past and moving into a new future. The earth reflects this in the changing of the seasons. We humans can move through our own solstice by going inward and checking on our emotional equivalent.

Are we taking the old, worn-out dead mules into the future? Do we really need those resentments, envies, jealousy, anger and lack of self-worth? Do we need to drag our lack into the New Year? What other dead mules do we hang on to? Perhaps it is doubt and fear of the unknown.

To open our minds to a bright new future, we can make a list of those we hold grudges against--forgive them, and forgive ourselves. Actually, there is no need to ask for forgiveness because when we take the energy off the grudge, the forgiveness is already there. This goes for anger and resentments. The only one we hurt is our own self. Is it worth it?

Dust off those dreams waiting to be unfolded. Shake the cobwebs out of our minds. There is life to be lived and our dreams are part of our life. Do you feel you are held back by responsibilities such as jobs and family? Letting go of our hurts, resentments and guilt can only enhance our job performance and change the family atmosphere into a loving one.

If you do not have a dream—something you want to attain, think about what you would do with your life if you had no responsibilities. Once you have a goal or the dream picture in your mind, see yourself having it and yes, we can include our loved ones in our dream. We never try to get anything. Try is a word that means one never attains. Either we do it or we do not. Try is similar to attempting to push water upstream. H.R. Halderman is quoted saying, "Once the toothpaste is out of the tube, you can't put it back."

Everything we think and act upon is a choice. If your choice is to bring about change in your life, then more power to you.
Bettye Johnson, award-winning author, http://www.magdalenescrolls.com