It’s a new year and once again it is time to continue your journey in life down the road marked 2008. What path shall you chose for this New Year? Will it be the same path you traveled last year, or will you select an entirely new path to travel on your journey through life? As we all know, life is a journey and there are no destinations along the way, only new roads to travel.

For many years I have lived by the statement that “Today is the first day of the rest of my life.” This statement not only says a lot, it also points to the fact that each day can be unpredictable. Rarely does a day proceed down the direction we planned at the beginning of the day. We are typically interrupted by our boss, a new project, a meeting, our children, or our spouse. How do we handle these interruptions? Do they provide stress, or do they provide excitement and challenge? The answer depends on where you are in your life at that moment. We always try to face the issue with optimism and confidence, and sometimes we just do not have the strength.

Since it is the first day of the rest of your life, I am sure you would like the day to be filled with excitement and optimism. What if it is not? What if you are challenged with very difficult choices or circumstances? What if the road is littered with obstacles that seem impassable? The answer to this question is easy. What are your priorities? To make the right choices each first day of our life, we need to take an accounting of our priorities. At a 40,000 foot level, this is simple; they are God, Country, Family, and then Work. Did you notice that work is in fourth place?

For me it is Family, God, Country, and then Work. Regardless of how you look at it, the message is that work should come after your Family, God, and Country. We all get caught up in the mighty dollar and yes we need to pay the bills. Many people put more pressure on themselves to succeed financially, than to have a harmonious family unit. I recall my time in the corporate world, when I would hear, “You get it handled, or we will find some one who will.” After 25 years of hearing that, I finally began to answer, “Okay that is your option, good luck with that.”

It took me losing my daughter to fully understand what priorities truly are, and what road to travel. I hope no one reading this column ever has to go through what my family and I have gone through. I only ask that you look at your journey of life and understand that you only have one family; be there for them. Life is fleeting and you just never know when it will change. Love your spouse, love your children, and thank God every day for them, then go to work and provide for them. After work, come home to spend quality time with them. Be involved with their lives, their daily circumstances, and their feelings. Create an unbreakable union of trust, respect, and communication. Honor and validate their feelings and challenges. Be the supportive and loving strength in their lives, so they can talk to you about anything. When we are fully engaged in their lives, we can then help them through the difficult times and help them to make the right choices. This is my wish for you in 2008.