My fellow human beings, today, as always, I speak with one voice, to anyone who cares to listen. After years of grit and determined effort, admittedly mixed in with a fair dose of procrastination and self-doubt, I believe this can be a breakthrough year for me. The question running through every decision I make this year is whether I am going to help or hinder my own progress. As an individual with some measure of control over my life, I'm committed to working better and rebuilding my trust in myself.
There are a lot of things in life that are beyond my control, of course, but the important thing is how well I play the hand I'm dealt. This year, I will redouble my efforts to meet the vicissitudes of life with serenity and a sense of proportion. I will remind myself to take care of the basics—diet, exercise, sleep—in order to have the energy and focus to make the best of every day. I will keep working to sustain production while strengthening protection of my leisure time, to spend alone and with loved ones.
And while I'm at it, I'll meditate on my mild social phobia. I am somewhat shy with people I don't know well, but I know that life is richer and more exciting when I do manage to loosen up and give a little more of myself. As usual, my first lady sets a good example in this regard. Sure, some people won't enjoy my company, but by and large, they'll be the people whose company I don't enjoy. So what am I worried about, right?
In short, I'm going to make this a year of action. I'm going to write and read and be healthy and have fun and put myself out there as much as I can. No other individual in the world can do exactly what I do. Each one of us is unique, with a particular combination of skills, interests, personality, and background. So I invite you to make a similar commitment to living large, to living out loud, to making your life a little better. And I have every confidence that the benefits of doing so will spill over into the wider world around you.
Believe it.
And while I'm at it, I'll meditate on my mild social phobia. I am somewhat shy with people I don't know well, but I know that life is richer and more exciting when I do manage to loosen up and give a little more of myself. As usual, my first lady sets a good example in this regard. Sure, some people won't enjoy my company, but by and large, they'll be the people whose company I don't enjoy. So what am I worried about, right?
In short, I'm going to make this a year of action. I'm going to write and read and be healthy and have fun and put myself out there as much as I can. No other individual in the world can do exactly what I do. Each one of us is unique, with a particular combination of skills, interests, personality, and background. So I invite you to make a similar commitment to living large, to living out loud, to making your life a little better. And I have every confidence that the benefits of doing so will spill over into the wider world around you.
Believe it.
