Happy New Year!

When I went to the gym this morning (and by “this morning” I mean at 1pm), I expected it to be mobbed with eager exercisers whose new year’s resolutions were to lose weight. That’s a familiar resolution for me, though I don’t believe I ever stuck with my various plans for more than a month or two.

This year I made my new year’s resolution about five months early. My new year celebration began on July 21 (well, really a few days later when I finally started to believe I’d survive). My previous year had been consumed by illness and fear, and I knew that while the next twelve months would still be difficult, they would be filled with progress and new hope. So I resolved to honor my donor by taking great care of the extraordinary gift I’d received.

A couple of months ago, I adjusted the resolution a bit. When I heard on tv that a Chilean miner named Edison Pena had been running while trapped underground and intended to complete the New York City marathon, my ears perked up. What he said next really resonated with me. He said, “I was running to be an active participant in my own salvation.”

So my revised 2011 New Year’s resolution is this: to be an active participant in my own salvation. In this way, I will honor my donor, become the person I want to be for my family and friends, and live a long, healthy life.

I wish you all a happy and healthy 2011 and success with whatever your resolutions may be!

Cheers~