Typically the first week of the new year is filled with resolutions, thoughts of what didn’t get done last year, the exercise we didn’t do but should have, or what we need to accomplish the next year. The athletic clubs will be bursting with newbies … for a month or so. The health food stores will be visited by wannabe dieters … for a short time. Self-determined plans will be announced, “This year I will …” but soon forgotten.

I’m not one for making New Year’s Resolutions. The success rate is pretty low. But I am all for reflecting back and seeing progress made and finding a direction for the year ahead. Life plugs along at a rather fast speed and each year seems to gain momentum. I’m not satisfied with just existing each day and letting it fly by without purpose. So I take time to reflect.

For some, 2007 was a whirlwind of fear, pain, and disappointments and the opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start again is coveted. For others, it was a year of progress and celebrations of successes that drive the eagerness for another new year.

This morning I took time to look back at my focus heading into 2007. Some apprehensions ended up being puddles, but at the time were tidal waves. In other instances, the puddles grew — the death of a friend, another’s diagnoses, unknown outcomes. And yet other pieces of the year contained beautiful surprises and long-awaited dreams fulfilled.

I’ve said it before — life is a log ride filled with ups and downs. We can’t stay on the top as we have to delve deep in order to travel back up with renewed happiness. If we wallow in the valleys, something will hit us from behind. If we just sit in the puddles, we only strand ourselves. Life isn’t stagnant, but moving. Yet how frequently we crave the status quo or desire to not rock the boat.

Heading down the last slope to the mini lake below, do we keep our heads up or instinctively duck? Are we too worried about getting wet that we miss the fun of the ride? Sometimes the anticipation of the big splash overshadows the ride and we forget the memorable high points.

Fear of the unknown is very real for many. So our tendency is to cling to what is familiar, struggling to let go and reach out for what is ahead. We all fall at times, but the question is to what do we cling?

Keep our heads up in 2008. Enjoy the entire ride. Get wet … we will dry off.