It is a beautiful Colorado blue sky New Year’s Day in the Rockies, and I have been thinking a lot about the standard list of New Year’s Resolutions - you know, losing weight, exercising more, repairing relationships, etc., and the one most uttered and least practised: “peace in the world”. I wonder if we first need to make peace with ourselves before we can call for peace in the world?

What struck me about many of these New Yeare Resolutions is how inauthentic they often are - we say one thing, but do the other - the hallmark of inauthentic living. And we are often more comfortable telling other people what their New Year Resolutions should be than we are living these same ideals ourselves.

I considered making my resolution to be more Authentic in 2007, but then I realized that Authenticity is just one of the six CASTLE Principles - the others being Courage, Service, Truthfulness, Love and Effectiveness.

So I have decided to make two resolutions:

1. Despite my professional calling as a teacher, coach and advisor to leaders, I will refrain from telling anyone else what their New Year Resolution should be!
2. I will make a personal commitment to living the CASTLE Principles more fully during 2007, by being more Courageous, more Authentic, Serving others more, being more Truthful, more Loving and more Effective.

I invite you to help me live this way, and I commit to helping you whenever you feel that is approriate.

Meanwhile, I wish you a wonderful New Year - may you do all that is necessary to make all your hopes and dreams come true for yourself and the world in 2007.

The New Year was welcomed in by flare-carrying skiers as they descend Copper Mountain in the Annual Torchlight Parade, to the joy and applause of those in the village huddled in the cold night air to welcome them!