My New Year’s Resolution

My New Year's Resolution

As this new year begins we are urged by tradition to make resolutions. The core of a resolution is self- improvement, one of the tenets of the CFBC. How do we pick a resolution? We are assaulted on TV and in books by a myriad of ideas to help us live healthier lives, more mindful lives, more productive lives, happier lives. How can we tell the realies from the phonies? The right paths for our resolutions may be out there somewhere, but they are hidden someplace between the hawkings of Kevin Trudeau and the teachings of the Dalai Lama.

As Jack Palance's character said to Billy Crystal's character in the movie, “City Slckers,” the secret of life is “one thing," something we have to figure out for ourselves. The only way to know is to pick something that seems “gut right” and give it our best effort. If it’s not right, move on to something else.

I read an article in the July, 2013 issue of Wired Magazine about a fast growing trend in Silicon Valley -- meditation training.
It was noted that there are "dozens of employee development programs at Google that incorporate some aspect of meditation or mindfulness." The practice caught on at Google when an employee "packaged contemplative practices in the wrapper of emotional intelligence." Bing! Bing! Bing! At a meditation related conference top execs from LinkedIn, Cisco and Ford were featured speakers.

If it’s working for individuals in huge companies, it’s worthy of a try in my entrepreneurial endeavors and my life. That's my resolution.

I wish you health, happiness and prosperity in 2014.