It's all about balance.

“Great in ‘08” didn’t turn out so good, but approaching it with a positive attitude probably didn’t do any harm. Still, I’m glad to be done with it.

“Fine in ‘09” has been a disaster from the get-go. With 11 days into it, I’d like to be able to say that I’ve hit rock bottom and it can only get better from here, but that’s not likely to be true.

So it seems, I’m faced with the choice of wallowing in despair or finding the good to hang onto like the proverbial life raft.

That metaphor reminds of the book Life of Pi – do I tell myself the “real” story or do I create an alternate reality that will keep me afloat. It’s an interesting dilemma.

I think there’s a third option – selective choice. If I pick out the bits of the real story that don’t accelerate my heart rate and focus on those, perhaps I can salvage “Fine in ’09” with a fixed goal of “Total Zen in 2010.”  It’s all about balance.  The vertigo, I’m convinced, will subside if I focus on the good.

I’ve been persuaded that adopting [gee, I hate how trendy and icky this sounds] “an attitude of gratitude” is better than the other choices. So … Selective Choice it is. I do have much to appreciate. I have been blessed in many ways. Things really could be worse.

Winston Churchill said, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” Every time I quote that, I’m stuck with the ear worm of “Onward Christian Soldiers.” So, if I’ve now planted that song in your head, you have my sincere apology. But, “Count your Blessings” – things could be worse.