With warm drinks, hearts, and friends, we cuddle up next to a fire. We share thoughts on love, life and past experiences. We are reminded of how important those close to us really are. I love the celebrations of the holiday season. I look back at where I was and how far I have come. I look ahead, then lock in that feeling and make it so. When the light of dawn breaks new year’s morning, I begin to see further, moving past the day itself. What will I do for the next year? How will I right a wrong from the past? How can a situation be improved? One of the most beneficial thoughts at this time is to establish or refocus on a definite chief aim.

In his book, The Law of Success, Napoleon Hill introduces principles to engage the subconscious mind with the achievement of a definite chief aim. It is a singleness of purpose, a burning desire, a dream or a goal that propels you to action. Here is an example from one of the greatest martial artists and actors in history:

"I, Bruce Lee, will be the first highest paid Oriental super star in the United States. In return I will give the most exciting performances and render the best of quality in the capacity of an actor. Starting 1970 I will achieve world fame and from then onward till the end of 1980 I will have in my possession $10,000,000. I will live the way I please and achieve inner harmony and happiness."

Much of News Year’s Eve is focused on indulgence, celebration, even hugs and kisses. As the countdown begins to close out the previous year, it invites us to declare our goals for the next one. These types of declarations seem to have a stronger sense of purpose at this time of year. They are filled with meaning and collective energy. The parties may be fun, but don’t lose sight of the power gifted during this season.

Observing the end of one year and the beginning of another has been a process practiced by ancient Japanese warriors, Mayan people, ancient Romans, North American Inuit and more. The origins of this celebration are centuries old and rooted far beyond a fun time and reason to party. The significance for closing out the past year and asking permission to enter into the new year comes from many religions, regions and races. All of them have strong spiritual ties to the practice of declaring what you want. Further, they all have beliefs that come by acting at the beginning of a year. Some traditions suggest that if your declaration was not worthy, your “rebirth” into the New Year would be delayed or rejected altogether.

Regardless of the culture celebrating the new year, there are common denominators throughout. For centuries, the winter months brought cold, damp, and isolated conditions. In other regions, it brought loss of crops, land and family. Additionally, this drew families together into close quarters, camps and communities. Such proximity allowed them to reflect on the past year and begin to plan for the new one. It also brought forth a collective mindset of success and positive energy. It allowed people to set their differences aside and focus on the warmth within.

Historically, December represented the turning point of the year, where days became longer, the sun began rising earlier and a spectacular luminous feeling grew in people’s hearts. This energy and vibration was so strong that some believe people manifested the rays of light to spring from their hearts and into the night sky. Some ancient societies viewed the time between December and the new year as the time of a struggle between Chaos and Order. It was believed Chaos was trying to take over and people needed to clean up bad behavior, collectively work together and declare good deeds to establish Order for tomorrow.

Regardless of what you believe, the meanings behind these folkloric customs ask us to: swear our changes out loud; declare our outcomes before they happen; and aim your life toward good fortune. The days of early January are a time for a thorough house cleaning and returning items borrowed. The great law of receiving is found in the process of giving. Many are blind to this and think the way to prosperity is by getting and taking. Take inventory of yourself, and look for ten ways you can be a giver this year. One way I choose to give back is by contributing these columns. I take my gift of writing and give it as a gift of love to bless and encourage you to keep moving towards your dreams.

Be prepared to declare your new desires and acts of giving. Your chief aim should be a goal that moves you forward instead of pulling you back, transforming your attitude into a positive and confident outlook. Set your sights high, but remember to keep a balance. As Dieter Uchtdorf says in his talk "Of Regrets and Resolutions" perhaps the most "universal regret dying patients expressed was that they wished they had spent more time with the people they love."

A poem that originated from the medieval days of our past tells us the value of cleaning out the old and accepting the new.

Take out, then take in

Bad luck will begin

Take in, then take out

Good luck comes about

According to this belief that is accredited to our origins of New Year’s Eve, you must bring new things in to insure abundance in the new year. However, by bringing new items in you must agree to let old items go. The secret is to bring in the new, first, then let the old go. Let’s begin the new year with new thoughts, ideas, love and acceptance of all.