IDENTIFY YOUR BLESSINGS

As I entered into the holiday season this year I promised myself I would be truly engaged in the holidays and spend time with friends and family. Due to my hectic work schedule, I was feeling like I was disconnected from the people I love. Therefore, as everyone gathered together, I vowed to take time, slow down, and truly listen to them as we spoke.

I did just that. I spent time with old friends and reconnected with family members I hadn’t truly talked to in a while. What I hadn’t anticipated was what I would hear from them. On several separate occasions and from many different people, what they shared was the fact they were feeling unhappy. Life had been a challenge this past year, and they struggled to see the good awaiting them in the future.

As I listened to each one’s explanations as to why they were feeling unhappy, I was able to identify something in each of their lives they could be happy about. Each one of them had something happening or something surrounding them that could and should have been celebrated. So after listening to them, I gently encouraged them to try not to focus on the challenges they face but to focus on the beauty and blessings that surround their lives.

So many times we get caught up in the day-to-day bustle and forget to take time to see all the wonderful things that can be celebrated in each one of our lives. Sure, we all face challenges, as we always will. The face or circumstance of the challenge will change, but there will always be a new one waiting for you as soon as you come through the one you confront now.

With that in mind, the best we can do for ourselves is to take each one in stride. Slow down and look around you. There is beauty and love in each person’s life and in the world around us. Whether it is a pet, a sunset, a family, or friend... beauty and love are everywhere. We all have someone or something that can and will make us happy. These are the things to focus on. Focus your efforts and energy on the positive things. God gave us the gift of life to be thoroughly enjoyed — one day at a time, one moment at a time.

Focus on the Light in your life. It is said darkness cannot live in the presence of Light.

Have a Happy and Healthy New Year,

KENDRA AKERS publisher kendra@akersmediagroup.com

DOUG AKERS vice president doug@akersmediagroup.com

JAMIE EZRA MARK chief creative officer jamie@akersmediagroup.com

EDITORIAL // DESIGN

JIM GIBSON executive editor jim@akersmediagroup.com

TIFFANY ROACH managing editor tiffany@akersmediagroup.com

JAMES COMBS staff writer james@akersmediagroup.com

SHEMIR WILES copy editor/writer shemir@akersmediagroup.com

STEVEN J. CODRARO associate creative director steve@akersmediagroup.com

CIERRA CHAPPELL production manager cierra@akersmediagroup.com

JOSH CLARK senior designer/advertising josh@akersmediagroup.com

ANTHONY CASTO senior designer/editorial anthony@akersmediagroup.com

TINA MORRISON production director tina@akersmediagroup.com contributing writers

RICK BOSSHARDT, M.D., FACS

CHRIS BRIDGES

RUTH ANN BYRD

MARIANN DE JONGH, M.D.

TRACY DRAPER

MARY EDWARDS

FRED HILTON RICK REED

CHRISANN REID, LCSW

JAMES ROACH

JANICE VIERA

ELLEN B. WILCOX

HEATHER TOOTLE office manager heather@akersmediagroup.com

CALEB WAYNE JENSEN graphic designer caleb@akersmediagroup.com

FRED LOPEZ chief photographer fred@akersmediagroup.com contributing photographer STARK BRUMLEY-MARTIN RON VANDEVANDER

SALES // MARKETING TIM MCRAE vice president of sales and marketing tim@akersmediagroup.com

MIKE STEGALL senior marketing representative mike@akersmediagroup.com

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DISTRIBUTION SCOTT HEGG distribution manager scott.hegg@akersmediagroup.com

Kendra Akers publisher