A Citizen’s View:

A mid-year assessment can keep our lives on track

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 | 6:11 p.m.

Judy Miller Gerard

July is a time when business people are ending their fiscal year, taking a mid-summer look at how things are going and making plans for the remaining six months of the year in order to have the best possible results in their business.

In our personal lives, if we do that at all, we do it at the end of the calendar year.

This year, let's do a personal check-in at this midpoint of the year, see how we are doing and make plans for the best possible remaining six months of this year in the very important business of living our lives well

In order to do that in a way which will be beneficial, we need to understand this is not about finding fault with ourselves or someone else, but simply evaluating how well we're taking care of those things in our life that are important to us and for which we are responsible.

Once we've done that, we can then make plans for improving any deficient areas.

We will need to spend a little time sitting quietly alone, and taking a look at our day to day personal life as objectively and honestly as we can. In what areas are we falling short, or simply know we can do better?

Once we are aware of particular needs that are ours to take care of, let's do whatever is indicated.

If we have any unfinished business regarding relationships, it's important to acknowledge that and make plans to take care of it. It might be a thank-you note, a phone call, a word of encouragement or appreciation. It might even be a simple "I love you." It might be something that calls for an apology or a request for forgiveness. It might be a request to another person to be forgiven for something you've done, or it might be you're asked to forgive someone for something they did to you. I'm sure we all know of people who carry deep wounds because they have never heard those all-important words from family or friends or business associates.

Let's move in to the second half of 2009 with plans in place to live our lives well, giving the very best we have to offer to those with whom we share life. If you are able to do that, don't be surprised if there is a renewal of mind, body and spirit, a new awareness of what is going on around you and within you and a deeper appreciation of the incredible gift of life.

Judy Miller Gerard is a Henderson resident and can be reached c/o the Home News, 2275 Corporate Circle, Third Floor, Henderson, NV 89074; by fax at 434-3527 or e-mail at editor@hbcpub.com.