Well, it's time to say Goodbye.  Let's say a fond (or not!) farewell to 2009.  According to the Wall Street Journal this morning, it's not just women going through divorce who are ready to move on, it's the whole country.  "Pew research began dim December with a survey titled 'Current Decade Rated Worst in 50 Years.'  The Washington Post/ABC staggered in with the bad word that 61% of the American people think their country is in long-term decline."  Lots of people seems to be in a funk, so you're not alone if that's where you are.  I remember thinking during 9/11 ... "this wouldn't be so bad or so scary if I had still had my  former significant other with me."  There is truth in the importance of personal and social support.  However, your wasbands have proven themselves unworthy.  They have not been a support you can count on.  So choose carefully and cultivate those supports that will not be shaken.  Friends, family, spiritual brothers and sisters, and especially God himself.  The fact is, with faith in God and social supports in place, taking responsibility for yourself forces you to get stronger.  As you learn to be confident and poised in this new year -- this new decade, you are going to stand out.  You will be someone others look to for inspiration.  You will be someone others are drawn to, especially others who are optimists and creators and who actually love the adventure  of life.  God gives us the unshakable stability and peace we need; life itself provides the variety and spice.  The Journal article this morning went on to say that "America has (always) been about compulsive creation.  It's a nation driven by the New -- new ideas, new cities, new companies, technologies, art forms, production, management, distribution, design, Hollywood, Tin Pan Alley, Silicon Valley.  Some of it's good, some of it's bad, some of it's ugly.  So what?  This is the upward-moving mojo that Americans want to get the back in the game -- the space (and the opportunity) to create, build and do what's new."  So, get back in the game yourself!  You definitely now have the opportunity to boldly create your new life.  Let's all join the group of people who will rise to the top and create, build, and do something new (and wonderful!) this next year.  What are the options?  Stay in a funk.  Whine.  Think to ourselves, "This is too hard."  No!  Let's say goodbye to this sometimes-sucky year.  It's given you more challenges (but more chances to grow) than other years.  Let's all say hello to making our own opportunities, and taking risks and savoring the adventure of it all.  If enough of us have this attitude, not only will our personal life come back to beautiful life, but our country will reclaim it's power to create and prosper. too.  Don't join the long line of sad-sacks who think things will never get any better.  Put on your helmet or take up your baton and lead the parade of people who will not let any circumstances defeat them!  Goodbye 2009 - the year of the swine (flu of course!) or the year of the whine or the year of crossing the line!  Hello 2010 ... the year of beginning again, the year to win, or shining within ...  a year of whatever you decide you want to make it!  It's up to you!