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“When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I wrote down “happy.”  They told me I didn’t understand the assignment and I told them they didn’t understand life.”  This famous quote from John Lennon comes to mind as Rotary Family Month begins.  We have just spent a day considering all the things that we are thankful for and now we spend a few days looking back at the last year, questioning whether or not we have truly accomplished anything.  The world is starting to light up in preparation for the holiday season.  People are a little happier in general during this time of year.  Christmas songs are taking over the radio  waves. 

It may surprise you that one of my favorite things to do during this time of year is to snuggle up on the couch with my wife and watch the Hallmark Channel Movies.  You all know the ones, the cheesy love stories, stories of miracles, stories of faith or spirit tested and the stories of people making a difference in others lives.   I am a sucker for a great “feel good” story.  I think that is why I have such a love for Rotary.  I really want to be apart of a story that makes my heart happy.  I want the story of my life to have lots of chapters about love and charity. 

December is a great time to count all the blessings in our lives.  It is a time when we can spend time with our family and friends and cherish those that touch our lives.  We also start to do an inventory on ourselves and make a conscious decision to make good positive changes in our lives going into the new year.  I urge you all to make the conscious decision to look all around your communities and  see what we can do to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors in 2015.  I know in this day and age it is really easy to assume that our government is taking care of the needs of the less fortunate but this is not enough.  If we bless others we are in turn going to be blessed.  Giving of ourselves and our resources always starts a chapter of love in your life’s story.

I give thanks for my family of Rotary this holiday season.  I thank all of you who have inspired me with your amazing projects and passion.  My hope is that I return the favor and inspire you too.  I hope that all Rotarians in our area are inspired to do great things!  I pray you all know how much I love and appreciate each and every one of you.  I know that you are all working hard in your communities to make our world a better place.  You are so amazing my friends and I am thankful for each and every one of you.

I would like you to think about the words of one of the worlds most famous Technology giants Steve Jobs as you look at the beginning of 2015, “If today were the last day of your life, would you want to do what you are about to do today?”  May the Lord bless you and keep you, may he make his face shine on you and give you His peace!  Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to you all!!!

 

Yours In Service,

Koby

Koby Rickertsen, District Governor