I will admit that I love fortune cookies. The cookie is fine, but it’s specifically the fortune that I really enjoy. Maybe it’s the suspense or perhaps it’s just plain fun. Whatever it is, I am a fortune cookie fan. Some might think that I’m a bit of an extreme fan. When ordering Chinese take-out, I’ll request a dozen or more extra cookies just to ensure that there are plenty of opportunities to pick that special one.

If you’re still reading, you might be wondering why I am even talking about fortune cookies. For all of February, I’ve been thinking about change. The New Year is a time for new beginnings and goals. By the time February is almost over, some inertia or panic could be settling in as these resolutions are broken and the goals remain thoughts without action.

Several weeks ago, I was working with one of my clients. We took a short lunch break and ate Chinese food, which of course included fortune cookies. You can imagine my delight at the meal’s end when I was offered a fortune cookie. With anticipation, I broke it open and read my fortune, which said, “Welcome change.” Not all fortune cookies are timely or even make sense, but this one made chills run up and down my spine. Change was certainly on my mind and the fortune was reminding me of some important ideas. In two simple words, it was encouraging me to open my mind to the possibilities of what change can bring and to put aside any fears I might have in making those changes.

Change often implies that we’re moving from a place that’s known to someplace that’s unknown. Even if we desire this shift, it’s still something that might make us feel fearful because we don’t know what to anticipate. The truth is that no matter how much we plan, we won’t know how that change will feel until we let ourselves move ahead even with our uncertainty.

It’s hard to know what type of change you might be looking for, as we’re all unique. Keep an open mind. Don’t let your fear prevent you from trying something new or making those changes that might be wonderful. Remember the wise words found inside my cookie, “Welcome change.”

Change is all around us each day in small and big ways. From the quiet things like a new bud opening on a stem to the less tangible things like realizing our babies have blossomed into young adults to nature’s changes like a clear sky one day and a blizzard the next. Some we take for granted, while others are hard to ignore.

Sometimes change just happens. Some we have no control over like the weather or other people. The only thing that is dependable about change is that we know it will occur. More importantly, some changes we can decide to make happen. That’s when life gets exciting.

Perhaps you’ve spent time thinking about some changes you’d like to make. Your thinking time is essential. It gives you a chance to ponder and define what is important to you. It lets you evaluate what is working well in your life and what is not. However, change will not occur by just thinking. Action has to accompany the changes you seek.

So, what am I really talking about? Let’s say that your clutter overwhelms you and you just don’t want to live with that level of stress anymore? You have reached a critical point because you’ve identified both what you do and don’t want. You don’t want clutter and stress. You do want more clarity and calm. It is important to have figured out this part. Now what?

For some, identifying the issue is enough to help put action into motion. For many others, the thoughts will never move to the action steps without assistance. So, if you are able to make the changes on your own, go to it with gusto! If however, you can’t figure out the next action step, there is no need to struggle on your own. Enlist help from a friend, family member or professional.

You can achieve the changes you desire either on your own or by asking for help. Change will happen. It’s up to you to decide which ones you want to play the leading role.

So here we are, half way through the first month of the New Year. The time has zoomed by since January first! How are you doing with your goals and resolutions for 2010? Maybe you haven’t taken the time yet to set goals for this year. Or, perhaps you set your goals, but have been distracted by living life as you know it instead of focusing on the changes you want to make.

I am definitely in the latter group. I’ve set my goals, but have been doing more thinking and processing than acting. I’ve realized that some goals I will be able to accomplish on my own, while others, I will need to enlist help to complete.

When I published my book this past year, I did a lot of the beginning work myself. My manuscript was mostly written; I’d researched various book publishing options and resources. But at a point, I knew that the project would not move ahead any further without building a team of people that had expertise beyond what I knew. Once I gathered the team, the project moved along quickly. Enlisting the right help was an essential ingredient in achieving my goal.

Change is difficult for most of us. We have a vision of where we are headed and then have to figure out how we’re going to get there. This can involve many things like altering habits, learning new things, getting help in areas we are less proficient and maintaining the energy and focus needed to propel ourselves forward. This process takes time and patience.

So as month one of the New Year is about to end, use these next few weeks to plan, refocus and figure out what you need to accomplish your 2010 goals. Do not feel disappointed if the first few weeks weren’t all action, action, action. Sometimes we just need time to let the ideas marinate before we are ready to do. If you need more time to think, take the time to do so. If you know you need help to accomplish your goals, start reaching out.

It’s a new year, a new decade and a time to begin again. The very nature of being day one, month one suggests a new start. What will this year be like for you? If thinking about the entire year seems overwhelming, just start with today. How will it be different from the past 365 days? How would you like it to be different?

This time of year, many of us make resolutions. Are you thinking about eating better, exercising more, getting organized, spending more time with family and friends or finding a better life balance with less frenzy and more fun? Particularly at this time of year, I love the opportunity to start over with a clean slate of possibilities.

For the past bunch of years, we’ve enjoyed our family tradition of welcoming in the New Year. We bring in our favorite food from a local Indian restaurant, play games, watch movies, stay up late and eat junk food.  Yes, I know.  Junk food isn’t the healthiest choice. However, it’s the one night we let ourselves indulge without guilt. Part of our tradition also includes writing in our New Year’s journal. After dinner, while still around the table, we record our memories of the year that has just ended and our goals for the year that’s about to begin.  We also like reading what we wrote the previous year to remember what happened and reflect on how we did with our goals.

So while I made time last night to think about my 2010 goals, today I have chosen not to act on them yet, but instead just enjoy this very quiet, still winter’s day with my family. We have a few more games, movies and left over food (nutritious and otherwise) to enjoy. Tomorrow is another day with plenty of time to begin again. By tomorrow, the Tate’s chocolate chip cookies, York Peppermint Patties and Haagen-Dazs Chocolate Chocolate Chip ice cream will be gone, which is a good thing. Their disappearance will make way for my “eating more healthfully” resolution.

I’d love to hear from you. If you would like to share one of your goals or resolutions for 2010, I welcome your thoughts.