Happy New Year - It's going to be a great year.

INTRODUCTION:

Hello to all. As we near 2025, another year is nearly concluded. We know 2024 was a landmark year, particularly in politics. As I think back on 2024 and reflect on everything that has occurred in my life, the world, society, and politics, I find it mind-boggling. I am sure you do as well. However, it's time to stop looking back and look to the future.

Depending on what you believe or who you support, some may think the future is bleak, while others may be excited about what is to come. I am excited because I believe everyone deserves a chance. The Trump administration deserves a chance to live up to its promises without scorn from the mainstream media. It is never fair to judge anyone before they have had a chance to prove themselves. It saddens me that our mainstream media does not foster these beliefs.

Before I begin, I wish everyone a safe, healthy, and HAPPY NEW YEAR. The Author's Pen will continue to write its weekly blog. Fairness, equality, and being unbiased will always be my platform. We will continue to take all requests for topics people would like me to discuss, and we will also continue to support guest blog posts.

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IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR:

I say this because we must be positive thinkers. If we think positively, positive things happen. When we think negatively, negative things happen. Each of us proves the most straightforward truth of that statement. Let me explain. If you get up in the morning and think it's going to be a rotten day, it usually is. If you get up in the morning, are happy to be alive, and look forward to your day, you have a much better day. Everything in life is about perception and how we perceive things. We can set the tone for our day.

Life's stressors will always sneak up on us and catch us off guard. However, how we handle those issues will determine or greatly influence their outcome. When the calendar changes, we have a rare occasion to think not just of our plans for the immediate future but also to consider what kind of life we want to lead and what kind of world we want to live in. Every new year feels like a chance to do all this again, but better. There's a reason "New Year's resolutions" have a place in our culture. What makes the coming week special is that we can try to find at least one way to make the next year a more positive experience.

Before jumping into the excitement of the upcoming year, it's essential to take a moment to reflect on the year that has passed. Reflecting allows us to identify lessons learned, acknowledge achievements, and areas that need improvement. Consider these questions during your reflection:

- What were my most significant accomplishments last year?

- What challenges did I encounter, and what did they teach me?

- How did I grow personally and professionally?

- Are there unfinished goals or dreams I could revisit?

GOALS:

We are more successful when we set goals. Setting goals means making a plan and sticking to it. Goal setting is a powerful exercise that guides our actions and prioritizes what truly matters to us. However, rather than creating a long list of resolutions that often go unfulfilled, focus on setting a few meaningful goals that resonate with our values and aspirations.

1. Having SMART Goals is a practical approach to employing the SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, instead of saying, "I want to get fit," you might set a goal to "exercise for 30 minutes at least three times a week for the next three months."

2. Long-term and short-term goals are designed to balance long-term goals that require sustained effort and short-term goals that provide immediate satisfaction and motivation. This mix can keep morale high as progress is made on both fronts.

3. Personal vs. Professional: Incorporate personal and professional goals into your vision. Whether you're looking for a new hobby, nurturing personal relationships, or advancing your career, all aspects of life deserve attention.

The new year often prompts us to embrace change, which can be exciting and challenging. Here are some ways to approach new experiences with an open heart and mind:

1. Adopt a Growth Mindset, which promotes believing that you can develop your abilities through dedication and hard work, which creates resilience. View challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles.

2. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone. Whether you try a new activity, meet new people, or pursue a different career path, stepping outside your comfort zone can enrich your experiences. Embrace the discomfort; it's often where the most significant growth occurs.

3. Cultivate Curiosity means staying curious about the world and others. Join a club, enroll in a course you may be interested in, or engage in community activities that interest you. Continuous learning will not only expand your horizons but may also unveil passions you never knew you had.

RELATIONSHIPS:

As we look forward to the new year, building connections becomes essential. Personal or professional relationships enrich our lives and broaden our perspectives.

1. Nurture Existing Relationships and allocate time to reconnect with friends and family. Simple gestures like reaching out, scheduling regular catch-ups, or planning a get-together can strengthen these relationships.

2. Seek New Connections by joining clubs, attending networking events, or volunteering for local organizations. These avenues provide opportunities to meet like-minded individuals who share your interests.

3. Community Engagement is something that not everyone wants to do. However, it's a great way to meet new people. Consider ways to give back to your community. Participating in local initiatives, supporting local businesses, or volunteering can foster a sense of belonging and purpose.

As I briefly discussed in my opening statement, a positive mindset provides a cornerstone for achieving your goals and enjoying the journey. As you embark on a new year, implement practices that nurture positivity. To help you get started,

start or end your day by writing down three things you're grateful for. This practice can shift your focus from what's lacking to what's abundant in your life.

Engage in mindfulness practices such as meditation, yoga, or simple breathing exercises. These help in managing stress while keeping you grounded in the present moment. Stress is a massive distraction in everyone's life. Your goal should always be to reduce stress.

Surround Yourself with Positivity and positive people, uplifting people, inspiring podcasts, or enriching books—can drastically impact your mindset. Also, reading my blog each week. LOL

IN CLOSING:

Making the best of the new year is not rocket science. Looking forward to a great year is about more than setting a New Year's resolution/s. It's an attitude, a way of being that sets the tone for every day ahead. By reflecting on the past, setting meaningful goals, embracing change, building connections, and fostering positivity, we can create a vibrant foundation for the coming year. It's time to step into your potential, seize opportunities, and navigate this journey filled with promise and possibility.

We will see and hear many things throughout this new year. The mainstream media will not help in uplifting us because we all know they are not Trump fans and will use any and every opportunity to mock anything his administration does. Do not fall prey to all of the rhetoric and decide for yourself. We are all smart enough to know if what is being done for us as a society, a nation, or on a global scale is good or bad. We are all smart enough to know whether promises made will be kept. Never let these distractions distract you from the goals you set for yourself.

As with any form of reporting, only we can decide what makes sense and what is biased reporting. I believe in the American people, and I think the American people saw through this during the campaign cycle. I also believe this is one of the reasons why Trump won the election. The American people are intelligent. Doubting that intelligence was a grave mistake. Here's to a remarkable new year filled with growth, joy, and countless adventures.

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Thank you.

Please feel free to leave comments, or if you have a topic you would like me to discuss, you can email me at crondina@caesarrondinaauthor.com. As always, I accept guest blog posts. If you want to write about a topic, email your finished draft in Word format to crondina@caesarrondinaauthor.com. I will review it and contact you. Thank you.

Be safe, stay well, and focus on being happy. And remember to always: