Commentary: Mindset first ... then New Year's resolutions

  • Published
  • By Maj. Jim Lovewell
  • 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  "My best friend gave me the best advice / He said each day's a gift and not a given right / Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind / and try to take the path less travelled by / That first step you take is the longest stride" - Nickelback's "If Today was Your Last Day" from their music album "Dark Horse."

I love leading the weekly 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron spin classes for physical training and am always on the lookout for new music to work into the playlists. Songs play a key role for a tough workout and are essential for waking attendees up at 6 a.m. Just before Christmas, I stumbled upon the Nickelback song, "If Today Was Your Last Day." It works great for the class, but more so, the deep lyrics lingered and now have me taking a fresh look at the way I'll approach 2011.

As you prepare for the New Year, I hope you set some tough but attainable resolutions, but before you do, I challenge you to examine the mindset you'll carry with you over the next 365 days.

"What's worth the prize is always worth the fight / Every second counts 'cause there's no second try / So live like you'll never live it twice / Don't take the free ride in your own life"

Can any of us honestly say we are living each day as though it is our last? True, if you knew it was your last day, you'd most likely spend some time coming to grips with life's deepest mysteries, but how would that knowledge shape how you responded to life's everyday challenges? Would you invest the effort to reach out to someone going through a difficult time, to put in some extra hours helping a subordinate struggling with upgrade training or make that phone call to someone in your unit whose spouse is deployed? How about treating that other driver on the road with some extra patience or taking on additional family chores? How can you live less for self and more for others in 2011?

"Would you live each moment like your last? / Leave old pictures in the past / Donate every dime you had? / Would you call old friends you never see? / Reminisce of memories / Would you forgive your enemies?"

My mom recently sent me a box of videotapes filled with old family movies. Despite the kind gesture and knowing I'd eventually watch them, I honestly had very little intention of fitting in time over the Christmas weekend to do so. Curiosity for what was on the tapes eventually got the better of my two boys and our family ended up watching the videos.

One segment was my college graduation day in 1994. My wife and I were amazed just how many of those in attendance were now deceased and just how much it meant to see their faces and hear their voices again. How much more so would it mean if we were able to have these people in our lives just one more day? Never take for granted the cast you have supporting you in 2011 -- family, friends, co-workers, supervisors.

Remember too, that the people you run in to throughout the day are just as near and dear to their friends and families' hearts as you are to yours, so go out of your way to care for and invest in them. Make patience, selflessness, generosity and forgiveness your 2011 trademarks.

"You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars / Regardless of who you are / So do whatever it takes / 'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life / Let nothing stand in your way / 'Cause the hands of time are never on your side"

If you hear this song, think about the lyrics and examine how you're doing with your 2011 attitude. I hope 2011 is a great year for you ... the year you shoot for the stars and truly appreciate each day as a gift and not a given right.

Set exacting New Year's resolutions and make them happen. As you do though, make absolutely sure you've got the right mindset as part of that foundation. Take nothing for granted and live each day as though it was your last.