"Death is defining measure of how much LIVING we actually accomplished". 
      The just read the  saddest story I have read in quite some time.  I read of a a Michigan prep star named Wes Leonard who played for Fennville H.S. We was a big time gamer in Michigan. This week he led the perfect sports fanatic dream. Wes hit the last shot in what was a perfect baskeball season for his High school. Kids grow up dreaming of these types of endings. Last shot, win the game, end a perfect season to help send your team into the playoffs.
     What kids don't dream about is less then 10 minutes after "living the dream", dropping dead of cardiac arrest. My eyes well up with tears just thinking of this. My thoughts go to his situation (I don't know the family backround). But if there's a dad, was he there. A fathers greatest joy is seeing his kids succeed. Did he even have time to hug/congradulate him? Mom the same thing? How do his teammates respond? His best friend? My heart breaks and my prayers go out for all those who loved the boy, who lived the dream, who faded in the midst of his moment.
     In reading the articles of this young mans character, I loved that one school official said : "Beyond his outstanding athletic abilities, Wes was a better person."
Death is NEVER an easy thing to digest. When it comes suddenly though, it's literally paralyzing. We are all working towards death, and when we get there it will be determined and measured how much LIVING we actually did. We miss those gone before us for 1 of 2 reasons.
1. Because we feel  there was so much more LIVING meant to be done.
2. Because the LIVING was done so well, we never wanted to see it end.
Death is the end of what was meant to be a purposeful beginning. Some of us get longer then others. Here's a couple questions to ponder and ask yourself:

If death took you so suddenly, could the same be said about you? 
Was your life worth living? 
Would someone else ever want to live your life?

"A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth."
Ecclesiastes 7:1
Here's a link to the whole story: 
http://tiny.cc/1yku8 

So if your like me it feels like just yesterday I was with my family, watching Seacreast and Fergie introduce the new year called 2010 with Joy and fandom, while musicians (at least that's what they are still calling them these days) played ill fitted songs and wore less clothes then Eve (not the rapper...the mother). We as a family were going through our traditions of making our own New Years Ball (see photo) and 2010 felt boundless.

That was also 6 minutes ago (or at least it felt that way). Needless to say 2010 was going to be a great year. It was. But going into 2011 i plan on trying something different. I'm gonna "Catch the Curve".
I'm swinging early in 2011. I'm making my plans earlier, setting things in motion now. I'm not gonna introduce myself to the new year, I'm going to make the new year feel as he (or she ) is the guest and I've been here the whole time. 
Here some quick tips that are helping me do so.


1. Work those resolutions today. Don't wait till Jan 1st. By Jan 4th most of us have quit, so catch that curve ball early.
2. Make spiritual and logical goals. (I'm gonna find a place to worship, AND I'm gonna fit into my jeans from h.s. again). 
3. Take the thing you know you failed at from last year the MOST, and make it your TOP priority to achieve this year. This builds character, and tenacity.
4. Give your "list" to someone today. 
5. Try to set some quarterly goals (monthly, weekly are awsome too).


Remember in about 6 minutes your going to be sitting there going 
"What happened to 2011?" 
OR
If you plan ahead, catch the curve, you won't.


Here's to the new year (and tacky seacrest)...