It doesn’t matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle; when the sun comes up, you had better be running.

Go on and shine this year.  Yes go on shine. You ask how?

With all the infinite power behind you, the endless possibilities before you, the boundless opportunities around you, you have all it takes to shine.

Come to think of it, you are equipped with something unique – you might not have the Arnold Schwarzenegger kind of strength, or the oratory gifting that Obama has, but you are different, you were born for a special purpose. Go put those strengths to work this year.

Even when you think you might want to give up. DON’T. But rather keep moving. Mistakes are allowed. But quitting, nay. There is no defeat except in no longer trying.

Because, a year from now you might wish you started today. Today is your day.

This year is your year. It is your year to shine.

Don’t settle for a life than the one you are capable of living – (Mandiba).

Yes, there will be obstacles. In fact there is more likely to be obstacles than a smooth sail. Your responsibility is to see beyond the obstacles, and rather put the end in mind and let the joy of happy-ending be your guide. As Leonardi Da-vinci puts it, 

“obstacles cannot crush me… he who is fixed to the star does not change his mind.”

This also requires that you stay motivated even when the numbers don’t make much sense. Zig Ziglar was apt when he wrote,

People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.

Putting the end in mind is one surefire way to help you stay motivated.

Don’t stop over small successes, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t celebrate small victories, but you have to know that success is a continuing thing. It is never final.

So my friends, when the sun comes up in 2014, you had better be running. Go on and shine this year.

I wish you all the best year each of us has ever lived in good health.

God bless and be with you all.