Happy New Year!
 
I sincerely hope that all of you had a wonderfully happy ringing in of the new year this weekend! Personally, it feels like a bit of a relief to me that the holiday stretch is over, or very near it for those of you who play it out to its fullest. It can sometimes be a stressful time of year, especially for those less fortunate than most of us. I can’t even imagine not being capable, for whatever reason, of providing for those that we love during the holidays, whether it is gifts, the presence of a not often seen relative or friend, or even just life’s basic necessities. I know it seems as if many of our celebrated holidays are nothing more than a marketing ploy targeting loved ones or children, but still, if bringing a smile to the face of somebody you care about does not bring you joy, well, I don’t know what to tell you. Many of you have contributed personal time and/or money to brighten the holidays for an individual, a family, or maybe even more, and to you kind folks I say, well done!
 
While we are reflecting back upon the past year of our lives, the happy moments and the sad, most of us will be trying to figure out ways to make this year better. We all have areas in which we would like to make improvements and if we work hard and have a certain amount of luck or good fortune, we will be able to accomplish our goals. One of my goals for this year, and for me it is a big one, is to try to do something for someone that makes them smile or at least makes them feel that maybe the world (humanity) is not such a bad place after all and to do it as often as possible. A challenge that I have set for this goal is to keep it simple, gestures which maybe some time ago were common place, but for whatever reason, don’t seem to occur as often as they used to or should.  
 
I would like to challenge you to do the same. We have Rotary (and many other avenues of goodwill for some of you) to focus on broader-reaching projects, but the kind of which I speak is that which brings the act of enriching another’s life to a more personal level. It also, in my humble opinion, takes more frequent thought and awareness. I know that often times I let an opportunity slip away, sometimes simply by debating whether or not I should do or say something for a minute too long, and then feel remorse over the lost opportunity. That is another part of my personal goal and my challenge to you, think faster, debate less, and take action more quickly!
 
I hope that you can all make it to Pat’s Pizza (the Bar Harbor location, of course) for Wednesday night’s evening meeting. Come as early as 5:00 if you are bored but try to be there by 5:30 at least. I am hoping that we will be visited by Sue Kropff for the meeting as well, so bring your happy wishes of wellness for her.
 
Shaun