Happy New Year!
On this seventh day of Kwanzaa, we say Happy New Year with the faith that our collective efforts will bear bountiful fruit in 2014. Each new year brings the promise of a better future. That promise is grounded in faith in ourselves -- combined with a commitment act upon our beliefs.
There is no simple solution to all our problems, but history proves that those who are guided by strong principles are more successful in solving complex problems. Let us commit to live and celebrate the principles of Kwanzaa every day.
I would like to recommend this article for your reading -- Don't Just Make New Year's Resolutions. Commit to Esteemable Goals, by Alfred Edmond, Jr.
Here are some excerpts:
Goals must be esteemable. Those that are not esteemable-which do not add to your sense of self worth, your positive perception of who you are and what you are worthy of-are rarely met.
Goals must be rooted in pragmatic self-love. If you do not truly believe that achieving a goal is good for you, you will not accomplish it.
Goals must be about choosing what you want, not merely removing what you don't want. I read somewhere that worrying is praying for what you don't want.
Goals must be specific and measurable, not vague and open-ended. This is not news to you productivity and efficiency experts out there.
"Deciding what you want to achieve in the New Year takes honesty and faithfulness, not just idealism and hopefulness. Too often, resolutions are about what we hope happens in the New Year, or some day. For me, esteemable goals are about what will happen, based on the choices I make and actions I take today and every day.
May God continue to bless you, your family and your endeavors in the New Year."
-- Alfred Edmond, Jr.
THE SEVENTH DAY OF KWANZAA
Imani
Imani (ee-MAH-nee) is the seventh and last day of Kwanzaa. Imani means faith. On this day, the beginning of the new year we pledge to believe with all our hearts and minds in our people, our parents, our good and dedicated teachers and leaders, and in the greater good of the work we do with and for one another, for the community and for the PEOPLE.
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