“Behold, I will do a new thing.” Isaiah 43:19 KJ, NIV

Welcome to 2009! A new year filled with promise and unlimited possibilities—a prime time to “do a new thing”. What will your “new thing” be? I hope it will be something more than a new year’s resolution that will fall by the wayside within 6 weeks. I want mine to be something life changing, mind-set altering, and sustainable.

Obviously, one of my new things (I have several!) is making the leap into blogging and sharing my thoughts with a bigger audience than I’ve ever had. (**To my former students and clients—yes, this is the Mrs. Sims who insisted that pen and paper were the most personal way to get your point across and that e-mail was the most  impersonal way to reach out to people!)

Please understand  that my blog will include my personal opinions—which may or may not totally coincide with the personal opinions of others who will share the blogging assignment; however, it will always be in alignment  with the Foundation  mission to empower families and communities to take control of the choices they make regarding wellness.

I’m trusting that my personal messages and musings will encourage those of us wh0 have the need (and desire!) to make a life altering change, for example,  less sweets and more exercise; as well as those who see no need to change anything in their lives—despite doctors, spouses, offspring, friends, and co-workers who insist otherwise!

Change starts with realistically checking ourselves—making the assessment that points out areas of weakness and strength –and finishes with improved behaviors that become second nature. What happens in between that starting point and the finish line is what makes this journey of life worth living. Friends and family who encourage us on the path we’ve started toward increased wellness help the “new thing” become a lifestyle.

How about the friend who walks with you at the crack of dawn to help keep you accountable? Check out suggestions on the American Heart Association website under “Start Walking for a Healthier Lifestyle”.

What about the family member who joins you at the bookstore to select a book to read in the evening after dinner when you’ve decided to limit the family’s TV viewing? Do you need ideas along that line? Check out the National Endowment for the Arts program “The Big Read“.

How about the neighbor who enlists your help and that of other neighbors for a neighborhood beautification project? You can find ideas on the Urban Farming website.

What a wonderful by-product of a lifestyle change—we  not only change ourselves, we impact the others who join us on that path.

I said this blog was only one of my “new things” to do this year. I want to share my short list with you at this time and I hope you’ll check back from time to time to follow my progress. Here is the short list:

        1. Write a blog. (Yippee—one down!)
        2. Admit I’m a closet country music fan. (All right—two done already! And by the way, Darius Rucker you made a very wise decision!!)
        3. Increase the distance and frequency of my walks. (Those details at a later date!)
        4. Start Flute lessons. Learn to play the flute. (Starting is easy—sustaining takes perseverance!)
        5. Limit visits to my good friend, Homemade German Chocolate Cake…okay limit visits to all German Chocolate Cakes…

Please let me know what “new thing” you’ll be instituting in your life for 2009 that will improve your health or will make your community a better place to live.

Hmmm…now to find where I put that flute and to get started on those lessons!

May your joy outweigh your sorrows and may you have someone with which to share them.

Pat Sims
Executive Director