So, we’re a couple weeks into the New Year and heading into February. . . Have you broken your New Year’s resolution yet?
 
I ask this half-jokingly. This year, my resolution is to find more balance in my life, in order to make “me” time. Since starting my business in 2007, I have been living and breathing all the inner workings of building a company. It’s been an adventure, and now that we are up and running smoothly and completely rebranded, it’s time for me! An extra 20 pounds and a ball of stress later, I figure it’s about time to shed some weight and relax a bit. I’m getting back to the basics: a balanced work schedule, routine exercise, dinners with my husband, and reading books for leisure. 
 
The past year was an especially challenging one for me: an uncertain economy and the business challenges that accompany it, continued growth with the magazine, a changeover in staff, a new business location (which required extreme renovations), and finally rebranding the magazine to complete the year! I once ran hurdles in school, but I’ve jumped more hurdles in 2009 than I cared to, and in 2010, I’m looking forward to a smooth stretch. I can also tell you that the above-mentioned accomplishments were not part of my 2009 New Year’s resolution!
 
In fact, as funny as it may seem now, my goal last year was to seek more balance in my personal and professional life! It took me 11½ months to accomplish that goal, but I finally did it before ringing in the New Year. I certainly didn’t accomplish it the way that I had intended nor expected, either. To achieve balance, I had to jump several hurdles – often becoming completely off-balance in the process! The good thing is that I cleared those hurdles. I didn’t give up, and I kept focused on the goal. I am entering 2010 with life lessons learned that only come with struggle. There were times when I felt completely broken down to the core, but those times brought clarity to what was really important to me, which allowed me to clarify my priorities. I’m thankful for the experiences that I had in 2009 (even though I have absolutely no interest in repeating most of them!). I’m entering 2010 with a refreshed spirit, and thankful for the New Year that we have already started together!
 
In this issue, we included two features that I find particularly timely for starting 2010: one about stress, and another one about creative ways to save (and make) money. For many of us, we are coming out of a year of financial uncertainty and stress that involved change and unwanted challenges. We hope that you find both of these features interesting, and can pull a lesson or two from them that positively impacts your life and brings you one step closer to accomplishing your New Year’s resolutions. Whatever your resolutions, don’t give up! You can clear your hurdles too!
Thank you for your time this month. It’s a pleasure publishing MyTown Monthly, and not only do we hope that through reading our magazine, you are able to connect with other members of your community and all of Middle Georgia, but we also hope that you read something in our pages that inspires you to become a better you!
 
Our goal is to provide you with a magazine that represents our individual Middle Georgia communities, as well as Middle Georgia as a whole. Your feedback helps us achieve this goal. Thank you to everyone who has emailed, written, and called over the last several months! Keep your submissions, inquiries, and requests coming! We are listening, and we are able and ready to respond! We are looking forward to this New Year!