Everything that Matters
Chairman’s Message, January 2010
Sally Bomprezzi, Madera City Council
2009-10 Chairman of the Board of Directors

Wow! The end of the first decade in this century.  It seems like just yesterday we were worried about Y2K and the results it may have on our technology and lives.  This decade will definitely be one that will be remembered in future history books.  Terrorist attacks on America, national disasters that left devastation for many, the worst economic conditions since the great depression, the failures of many financial institutions, highest unemployment rate ever, water issues that are affecting people’s ability to provide for their families and the first African American President. Yes, this decade will certainly be one for the textbooks to be read by future generations.

As the new year begins I know many of you have made those famous “New Year’s Resolutions”.  For me, I have chosen not to.  My one goal this year is to just survive, “One Day at a Time”. I have been reading a book by Robert Ashton titled “The Life Guide – 10 Things You Need to Know about Everything That Matters”.  I want to share with you his take on success.   We all have things we would like to change in our lives.  Things that we don’t feel are quite under our control or within our reach.  Maybe you have already tried to change some things and it did not quite work.  Don’t worry; what really matters is that you are prepared to keep trying until you succeed. 

Success is whatever you decide to make it.  It is a personal thing and what makes one person feel successful may make another person feel they are failing.  Much of it is based on how we feel.  If you are succeeding and can honestly recognize that fact, you will find yourself feeling happy and content.  Lasting success results from the cumulative effect of lots of small steps.  It is not about making a big push for some really tough goal, but more about working on a range of aspects for your life.

Your plans should be tailored to your life, your aspirations and your needs.  The art of making your life better is to make each of the small steps we take manageable.  Taking many short steps can make a journey longer; giant strides can make a journey very tiring and there is that risk of tripping up. 

Success looks different for every single one of us.  There are no convenient common goals.  According to Ashton, here are ten ways to help you define your own personal success:

I already know that in some of these areas you are probably already successful, or at least content.  If you are content, then you are successful.  The things you want to change are those you feel are not working for you at the moment.  So in 2010 I wish each and every one of you a very prosperous and successful year.

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