My dear friend Alan Cohen offered this message on New Years morning: “Behold, a bright new year set before you.  What would you make of it?”

I consider myself an ‘opti-mystic’ who sees the world through the eyes of magic and wonder. As a result people, experiences and opportunities come my way that I might have ignored otherwise.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines optimism as having “hopefulness and confidence about the future or successful outcome of something; a tendency to take a favourable or hopeful view.” The word is originally derived from the Latin optimum, meaning “best.” Unlike optimal thinking . which is realistic in nature, being optimistic, in the typical sense of the word, ultimately means one expects the best possible outcome from any given situation.”

As I read through the New Years messages that friends posted on their facebook pages, I am blown away by how many ‘opti-mystics’ I am connected with here. No gloom and doom predictions, no obnoxious political statements; just loving intention for this brightly born newly gifted 365 days. How will you unwrap the presents/presence offered to you today? ?