I would like to share with you my personal letter that I wrote to myself many years ago. I read this to myself the first of each year! ​ THIS YEAR I WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE ​      This year I will make a difference not only to the people around me but to myself. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is a product of his own thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion victory will be my hallmark. I will be grateful for this year God has given me. Each day holds twenty-four hours. This is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow my time to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I promise I will face each day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. When each day comes, I will embrace its wonder and use it for loving and giving.      I will not let past failures haunt me even though my life is scarred with mistakes. I will refuse to rummage through my trash heaps of failures. I will admit them and correct them. I will ask for forgiveness and press on victoriously. No failure is Fatal!! It's okay to stumble. I will get up and rise again!      I will spend time with those I love, my spouse, my children, and family. A person can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A person can own nothing yet be wealthy in relationships. This year I will spend time with the important people in my life and I will commit my heart to spend more time with God allowing Him to change me to be more like His son Jesus. I will spend quality time talking, hugging ,thanking, listening, and loving. It only takes one person to light a candle to scatter the darkness.      With God's help, I will be that one! This year, I will make a difference.