Happy New Year Everyone!

Wow! Another year gone by as swiftly as the wind, leaving us lamenting over the status of our to-do lists. It is hard to believe that 2010 is finally here. What did we accomplish in 2009? Did we accomplish enough!?!

Whenever you set goals for yourself, you are challenging yourself to accomplish them. You anticipate but you really don’t know just how intense the challenges will be. But you set them anyway because as scary as it may seem, your desire to succeed is unwavering. You learn along the way that you can’t accomplish your resolutions without addressing your own evolution.

Admittedly, there were times in 2009 where I felt like the year wasn’t going by quickly enough. But for me, 2009 year was a series of world-wind experiences that tested me in ways that will remain interesting and unforgettable. And boy do I know a little something about challenges. I released a full length, independent album project during a recession and I live in New York City! What on earth was I thinking? Even if I did realize what I was getting myself into, I don’t think I would have done anything differently. I’m a stubborn Taurus. My theme song was and still is Kanye’s “Can’t Tell Me Nothing”. I was going to put this album out no matter what.

There were times when I felt like I was a contestant on the Amazing Race, trudging my way through an obstacle coarse with subtle or no clues to help me along the way. In some instances, it was like being locked in a dark room feeling my way through the dark for a light switch. This project was the most financially, physically and emotionally taxing thing I have ever done. And yet, despite it all, there were so many triumphant moments that overshadowed the challenges.

This past year, I realized how no one challenged me more than myself and no one ever could. I saw, sought and conquered my dream of releasing my own album project on my own terms. And now that I have accomplished this goal, the sky’s the limit. The only thing left to do at this point is to aim higher and higher.

2010 is all about taking lessons learned in 2009 and applying them. Becoming better. Writing up a list of goals is step one. Being the person you want to be is a critical part of the process and will ultimately determine how effective you are with checking off your list of goals. Be prepared to evolve as you set out to accomplish your goals this year. Most of all, don’t be afraid of the eminent challenges that will come your way. They are a crucial part of your evolution. Don’t just answer the call…embrace “the process of continuous change to a higher, more complex and better state”…embrace your own evolution.

Bless, Rae.