Happy New Year!

I wanted to share this email I received on a yahoogroup that I belong to called TJEDMuse. It is devoted to families around the country who shape their lives and particularly the education of themselves and their children in a leadership/mentoring style model commonly called a Thomas Jefferson Education(TJed). It is commonly called this because of a book called A Thomas Jefferson Education written by Dr. Oliver DeMille who has popularized this age old method of learning particularly with home-schoolers {although it's philosophies are useful to anyone and everyone} . If you are curious about TJed you can find information at http://www.tjed.org/

This email was written by the groups moderator.
" Hi All,
As the year comes to a close many of us find ourselves balancing gift buying with making sure to focus on the more important messages of the holidays. Then the next thing we know the New Year rolls around with all its temptation to make resolutions. But before we know where we are going we need to know where we have come from and where we are now. So before we vault into 2008 let's review 2007. What gifts did you give to the world?
What did you accomplish this year?
What value did you add to the world that comes easily for you? (Yes, this is the opportunity to acknowledge your talent.)
What did you contribute that was really difficult to do?
We have all done something to improve the world this year but often it is hard to recognize and appreciate what we do. So before you start thinking too grand and find yourself saying, "nothing I did was worthwhile" look to the little things.
In his lectures, Dr. DeMille has often given a list of some of the major missions in the world. Which of them did you work within?
Feed the hungry
Clothe the naked
Heal the sick
Liberate the captive
Educate the ignorant
Guide the lost
Comfort the lonely
Heal the family
Create Beauty
Or is there some other primary purpose to your life?
Did you help a child learn to read this year? Did you bring a pot of soup to a sick friend? Put your arms around a sad or lonely relative? Make a beautiful quilt? Run for public office? Write a letter to a government representative? Start a business? Say "no" to an injustice? Make a home for a lost pet?
We all have contributed something this year to make the world a better place to live in. How did you help? Don't be afraid to share the little things. We all know the pebble in the pond analogy. And if you did do something grand and amazing by all means, please share.


Shawn Crane "

I must say that I am happy that I just survived the last year, it was a hard one for me. Along the way I was able to be there for those in need around me, offer love and service, hopefully inspired my children to a few of the wonderful things the world has to offer, and as I make my master inspire plan for the year ( I don't call it resolutions any more) I look forward to all that I can hope for.
I hope your new year is full of all the wonderful things you do to make our world a better place, without even having to RESOLVE to do it.