Ten Ways to Make 2012 Your Best Year Yet!

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Added: Wed. Dec 28, 2011 11:25am
Posted in: Lifelong Learning

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Happiness, health and prosperity to you in 2012! Don't you say that every year? I'm sure you mean it. I'm sure you're very sincere. But instead of just “wishing” it, would you be willing to help someone, or even help yourself increase the odds of achieving it?

It's really very simple. All you have to do is stop being a passenger. Stop watching the days and years of your life roll by as if you're staring at it through a window. Make this the year you take control. Start truly living life. Live each and every day with vigor, with wonder and with purpose.

Here are ten ways you can start right now: 

1. Open yourself to more than just one interest. You can create many different worlds within your world! You'll be exposed to all different kinds of people, your life will never be boring and who knows what kinds of skills you'll be able to master. Just ask jazz great and track star Nolan Shaheed! Or listen to the death-defying story of mother and escape artist Donna Purnell! 

2. Compose the story of your life. Think about what you've done and who you are. Now, realize your story isn't over! Isn't the last half of any story always the best? What do you want to do? Who do you want to be? Think it, dream it and then start making it happen. Laura Simon did, and she's 105!

3. Forge your own path. When people tell you your dream is impossible, that your goals are unreachable or that your ideas are just too weird, well, then you know you're on to something good! Weird Al Yankovich would love to tell you about it!

4. Change your health. You can start right now, immediately improve your current condition, and maximize your odds of living a long a vibrant life. It's not as difficult as you think. In fact, it's as simple as the saying, you are what you eat. No one has done more research, documented more results or can change your life more than the esteemed Dr. Ephraim Engleman.

5. Don't let life get you down. I know. It sounds so easy, but there is loss, tragedy and immeasurable pain in this world. But amazing things can happen if you can use your pain for a purpose. It's something '60s folk icon Judy Collins learned the hard way.

6. Do not let your challenges limit you. Life will throw some pretty serious curves at us all. Some are terminal, some are life-changing, some are blech. But whether it's multiple cancers like Susan Helmrich, strokes and liver failure like Carla Ulbrich or 17 major surgeries like Lola Gillibaard, life can still be rich, rewarding and joyful.

7. Allow your creativity to flourish. Life is a canvas. Paint whatever you feel. No one took that message more literally than Rob Elowitch, who not only runs one of the top art galleries in New England, but for 20 years led a secret life on a different kind of canvas, as a professional wrestler.

8. Don't dream big, dream gigantic! It's how Pat Gallant-Charette became the oldest woman ever to swim the English Channel. It's how Gladys Burrill ran her first marathon at 86 and is still running them at 92.

9. Open yourself to opportunity. Paul Williams thought he was going to be an actor. There was just one problem. He wasn't very good at it. But when the opportunity to try songwriting presented itself he jumped at it, even though he'd never done it before and couldn't even play an instrument. The result, some of the most popular songs of our generation!

10. Confront your secrets. Stop carrying the burden around. It's time to deal with them. John Zickefoose was a big-time success but couldn't read. He confronted his own illiteracy and is changing lives. Sharyn Wolf was Oprah's favorite marriage counselor who hid the fact that her own marriage was a sham. 

Growing Bolder radio has been on the air now for five years. Each and every week, we interview celebrities, experts and role models, people who are out there proving what's possible in our own lives. Each and every interview is available to you on GrowingBolder.com. I guarantee you will find many that will entertain, amaze and inspire you to truly start living your life. 

So, this time around, don't just wish someone happiness, health and prosperity for the new year. Make it happen. Isn't it time you started Growing Bolder?