Grouvia’s Topic of the Week is called “New Year’s Toasts: A Five-Step Formula for the Perfect New Year’s Toast” by Joanna Fuchs. We found it on a free article directory, as we do all our weekly topics.
It was written in 2005 (I hope she doesn’t mind that we changed the dates to post it) and contains a timeless bit of advice to help folks write a poignant, if not wholly memorable, New Year’s toast. And it also contains a lesson for all of us, even if we aren’t giving a toast this year.
What the advice boils down to is simply this: Be Appreciative.
Here are the things Joanna points out that we should all remember to appreciate, as we move from the old year to the new:
- Lessons learned
- Fortunate or memorable events
- Our friends and family
- What we have that others don’t
- A hopeful future
Hear hear, Joanna. Thank you for reminding us.
We should appreciate these things all year long — especially right after a hectic holiday season, as we gear up to Spring and face all the possibilities for good times ahead.
So let’s try to pause for a few minutes and think about the past year, and wonder about the year ahead. Let’s ask ourselves: What will we do this year to make a difference in someone else’s life? To have a positive influence? To lift someone’s spirits or help them get through a tough time?
How will I try to improve myself? What next step can I take to get that promotion or start that small business I always wanted? Will I try to lose weight or quit smoking? Do I want to just get a little less aggravated at the too-long red light or supermarket check-out line?
Whatever it is, it’s unique to each of us … a special gift we can each give to ourself.
A toast to us… Happy New Year!
