2018 – LOOK IN THE MIRROR

By Glenn Mollette
How did 2017 go for you? Was it a good year or a not
so good year? Regardless of what happened you can’t
change 2017. The year is behind us and 2018 is ahead
of us.
What can you do to make 2018 a great year?
Make a list of what you want to accomplish in the
year ahead. Don’t make it so long that it’s overwhelming.
Most people’s list can go on and on and then it
becomes a daunting task.
Here are some ideas for you.
Focus on your health. You can do almost anything if
you have your health. Go to your doctor for a physical.
Have blood work done. Find our what your numbers are
then adjust accordingly. If your cholesterol is high or
your sugar level is high you will need to exercise a little
more and eat a better diet with more fruit and vegetables
and less red meat. Eating less sugar will probably
be a good thing for you in 2018 as most Americans eat
too much sugar. I had my blood work done about four
days after Thanksgiving. Everything came back good
except my sugar level was 106, which is a little high.
It needs to in the nineties. However, I ate at least four
pieces of pie over the Thanksgiving holiday. When you
go to have your blood work done don’t go right after a
blowout-eating holiday.
Remember if you have your health you feel like doing
something. You can work hard, sell pencils, work retail,
work your garden, mow your grass and enjoy life. A lot
of sick people have money but they can’t enjoy their
money because they threw away their health. Things
still happen. Our bodies are flesh and blood and you
can lose your health even being a fitness nut. However,
your chances are better if you at least try. Keep walking,
keep moving your body, be active.
My father was actually very unhealthy in his eating
habits. He was overweight and ate any and everything.
He wasn’t big on desserts but was big on anything
fried, red meat and lots of squirrels and rabbits. He
was a hunter. He made it to 85 and one of the reasons
I believe he did was become he kept moving. He was
out in the hills about three days
before he died and shot a rabbit
from his truck to eat for dinner.
Find ways to keep moving
and things to keep your interest.
Winter months are tougher
for most Americans so be creative
in your efforts to keep
body and mind active.
Make and Save Money. You
can’t take money with you but
you can enjoy it here and then
leave some for your family.
America’s economy is coming
back. There are more jobs now
than we have seen in awhile.
Some corporations who moved
their work to other countries
will bring some of their jobs
back to America. Any jobs they
bring back will be more than we
have had the last sixteen or so
years. There is work to be done
in America. You might have to
drive or move to another town
but there is money to be made
if you are willing to work. Even
if you have to work two jobs
you can earn a paycheck in
America. Every time you get
a paycheck put some money
aside in your bank. Eventually
buy some stock in a mutual
fund or preferably an index
fund. Unless you have a crisis
in your life leave your saved
money alone and keep adding to it. Eventually you will
have enough for hard times and good times. Even if you
can only save $20 a paycheck this is better than nothing
and even a small amount will add up.
Pursue one or two interests in 2018. Fourteen months
ago I started taking violin or I should say fiddle lessons.
I enjoy it. I t’s something to do. I write these columns.
It’s something to do. I like to travel. It’s something to do.
I hope to write a book in 2018. It’s something to do. I
try to do only what I enjoy but that’s not easy because
not everything is enjoyable. There are some parts of life
that are tedious, trying and just a pain. This is why you
need to pursue a personal interest or two. Do something
you want to do.
Of course there is always more. You have a closet or
a garage you need to clean out. You have chores and
more chores to get done and most everybody does.
Find time for God in 2018. Most Americans believe in
God but spend very little time in spiritual pursuits. When
all your friends have walked away and even your family
and other loved ones are no longer there for you there
is a friend who sticks closer than all others.
There is only one person who can make 2018 a great
year for you. Go look in the mirror and look this person
over.
Dr. Glenn Mollette is President of Newburgh
Theological Seminary, Newburgh, Indiana
and his syndicated column is read in all 50 states.