A personal inventory

Personally and professionally we may have made mistakes. Perhaps, like businesses, we need to close our doors and take stock of our personal inventory.

In terms of relationships, we might ask, "Who did I interact with this year? What new relationships did I build? Do the people I care about know that I admire and respect them? Did I show appreciation to them? What actions didn't I take and what words didn't I say?

What relationships ended for me this year? Was it deliberate or unexpected? Was it due to my inattention or neglect? What can I do in this new year to focus on relationships and to make them a priority.

What about regrets?

How did I go wrong? What opportunities did I miss? How do I correct my mistakes and move on? What could I have said or done?

What skills do I need to focus on? What should be highlighted this year? What negative issues do I need to delete as I review the past year?

As I take inventory of "leftover" merchandise, what do I discard as unprofitable? What corrections need to be made in the future?

Those are generalizations but you may tackle specifics

Did you max out your credit card or overextend financially? Then your goal would be to eliminate or greatly reduce debt and begin paying off that credit card.

If you have no savings, you could create a savings/investment plan for 2010.

I can recall that when my son was born, my military husband and I decided that we needed to begin a savings plan of some sort. We had limited income but we managed to put aside $18.75 cents per month toward a $25 savings bond. It was with great pride we watched those bonds multiply and finally mature.

The amount you invest need not be much, but begin.

Take care of your health as best you can. If being overweight is causing negative results, then begin to lose a few pounds each month until you reach a positive goal. If you smoke, stop.

If you had personal setbacks or disappointments, make a step toward a positive change.

Choose one mistake you'll plan to avoid this year. If you can, right a wrong.

As you count, review and evaluate, are there issues that need adjustments? In what positive ways can you simplify, reduce a hectic pace, and restore order in chaos?

What volunteer projects, large or small, were you involved with in 2009? What insight did you gain from working on the projects? Were they worthwhile or rewarding? Were they beneficial or nonessential?

In your assessment, what needs priority and what needs to be moved to the bottom of the list?

Looking back, were you thankful for your blessings, for opportunities and growth?

Did you recognize undeserved blessings?

Do you realize that in the New Year there may be more battles that leave you upset and fearful? Are you aware that the Bible says the battle is God's and He never loses a battle?

Looking forward, let's enter this new year with a brighter outlook and hope for the future.

Counting our blessings can set the pace.