I survived all the endings and beginnings of the New Year celebration. I faced them head on. Actually, my wife and I went to bed. No Times Square, no horns, hats, or streamers. I did wake up a minute or so after midnight to the sounds of local fireworks. I rolled over, whispered in Marianne’s ear, “Happy New Year, baby,” kissed her on the cheek and went back to sleep. It really added to my already perfect holiday.

January 1st always finds me reflecting back on the past and cautiously wondering about the future. The first day back to work always causes me to wonder if I am headed in the right direction. I ask myself, “Am I doing what I want to do?” “Am I doing the very best I can with all I have to offer?” It was an early morning drive that always takes at least an hour and fifteen minutes, which opened my heart and mind to a very hope-filled new day and, most importantly, new year.

I am not normally a morning person. Coffee needs to circulate through my system for a few hours before I realise I am awake. But because this holiday season was so perfect, I truly woke up with a smile on my face. I mean it. I now wake up, remember how good my life is, and smile. I have now changed from groaning and moaning about what’s wrong in my life, to smiling about all that’s right. Still, I do need coffee.

I headed off into the darkness of day on a road that takes me directly into the rising sun, often blinding me as I approach crucial intersections. — Beliefnet.com