The closing of a year brings about the compulsion to re-evaluate your life and reflect on the past year. I am no stranger to this compulsion. Years ago, I used to take stock of my life and make hard-nosed resolutions that would ensure a better year. Eventually, I gave up this "personal inventory," as it seemed both pointless and redundant. As soon as I would make a resolution, it would surely be forgotten a week later. I believe that the more you think about something, or obsess about a certain goal, the more difficult it is to obtain, so I stopped making goals and opted to simply "go with the flow.” I think my life has improved because of this.

There’s no doubt about it, this past year has been the most eventful yet. Heck, Autumn's birth alone was a monument in itself. Add to that a new job, a new car, all the baby milestones, throw in a few personal changes and you've got one busy year. Who can say what will happen this upcoming year?

I can't with any degree of certainty, but I've got a few predictions:

• My love for Autumn will grow stronger each and every day as she develops ever so rapidly.
• My wife will continue to support me in whatever decisions I make for our family, regardless of how much I irritate her at times.
• Common sense, moral decency, and American patriotism will replace corruption, lies, and the fleecing of America in our Presidential Office thanks to G.W. Bush. (Go G.O.P!!!)
• The XFL is going to blow the lid off of professional sports as we know it, forcing Bob Costas to eat his words.
• Triple H will once again regain the WWF Championship Title...an event that will TOTALLY rock! and lastly...
• With the help of a small Sherpa Tribe, I will grow one step closer towards my ultimate goal of world domination.

OK... scratch that last one... I'm really tired.

Anyways, since I feel that resolutions are for suckers, I promise nothing to myself for the upcoming year. I know that I will continue to grow as a father and a husband, and continue to do the absolute best that I can for my family. This is not a promise, this is a fact. Promises can be broken, facts cannot. Think of this next time someone suggests that you take stock of your life.

I say, leave your live stock where it belongs, and just roll with the punches.

Have fun,

Joe