The noblest question in the world is, what good may I do in it?
-Benjamin Franklin

I think it’s safe to say that in 2013 we all want to experience good health, happiness and prosperity. To get there, setting goals and being intentional about our wants and needs is necessary — but what if we first determined what our best really looks like? For example, rather than focusing on the desired outcome, let’s think about what we will need to do on a daily basis that will allow us to be our best and ultimately give our best to others. After all, isn’t the ultimate goal to lay our heads down at night knowing that we have done our best, used our gifts and helped one another? The process may look something like this:

Step 1: Ask yourself, what does my best self look like? Could it be…

• 7-9 hours of sleep each night?
• Quality time with my family/friends?
• Exercising five times a week?
• Meditating each morning?
• Eating five high protein/low carb meals each day?
• Spending six days a week giving of my time, talents, or treasures?
• Drinking 1/2 my body weight in ounces of water or cranberry water each day?
• Resting one day a week?

Step 2: Ask yourself, when I make the effort to be my best everyday, what is the result?  Could it be…

• I am happy
• I am energetic
• I am fulfilled
• I am patient
• I am kind
• I am productive
• I am loving
• I am generous
• I am healthy
• I am someone that people want to spend time with, allowing me to bring and spread joy

Step 3: Read the following five quotes, listen closely to your heart and without hesitation write down all of the ways you want to be and give your best this year. Keep this information handy, as this is the beginning of an exciting opportunity for yourself and everyone around you!

“It takes courage for a person to listen to their own goodness and act on it.” ~ Pablo Casals

“Goodness is the only investment that never fails.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

“The work of your heart, the work of taking time, to listen, to help, is also your gift to the whole of the world.” ~ Jack Kornfield

“The luxury of doing good surpasses every other personal enjoyment.” ~ John Gay

“If the world is to be healed through human efforts, I am convinced it will be by ordinary people, people whose love for this life is even greater than their fear.” ~ Joanna Macy

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Point to Ponder:
Do the actions you take in your daily life represent your best you?

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 Action Item:
Determine what your ‘best you’ looks like and all of the ways you want to be and give your best self this year.