| News Channels |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| Quick Links |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| Entertainment |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| MAO Exclusives |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| Weather |
| |
|
| |
| Post Your Ad at MAO |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 Jackie
K. Cooper was born in South Carolina and now
lives in Georgia. He is the married father
of two sons and the proud grandparent of a
boy and a girl.
He is familiar to people living in the
middle Georgia area as the
"entertainment man" since his
entertainment reviews run in newspapers and
are shown on television there. His short
stories have also been used as commentary on
Georgia Public Radio.
Cooper
has lived an exceptionally interesting life
and portions of it were contained in his
first book
"JOURNEY
OF A GENTLE SOUTHERN MAN”. Now the
journey continues in “CHANCES
AND CHOICES”.
|
|
|
"A Whole New Year" - Somehow it seems you can look off into the distance and see a lineup of days stretching out before you. We are starting a brand new year and the possibilities of that year are endless. Who knows what good fortune can come our way. Life is like that. You just never know what will happen next.
I anticipate great things happening. This may be the year I win the Pulitzer, or they make a movie of one of my books, or I get picked up by a network to give my movie reviews. It could happen, or at least I like to think it can.
My life has already been so great that I believe anything can occur. This has already been proven to me. And it can also happen to you. Do you have a dream? What is it? In your wildest dreams, what is your dream? If you can dream it, it can happen.
One of the best things about dreaming something is anticipating it will happen. The anticipation is sometimes the best part. It's like watching movie previews/trailers. Sometimes just getting excited by them about a forthcoming movie is wonderful. You get to see some of the best parts and then your anticipation kicks into overdrive.
I love the past, the present and the future. My memories of good times in the past are some of my most prized possessions. I remember family members who are no longer with us. I remember friends who meant so much to me. I remember fun times that will never be repeated. I concentrate on the good times and I bring out these memories and cherish them.
As much as I love my memories, I try to live in the present. It is the only moment we are guaranteed. Yesterday has ended, tomorrow hasn't arrived, but the here and now is here and now. Though I like anticipation it can't replace the joy of the moment. There are some people who are just stuck in the past. I don't want that to ever be me.
If you live for that next big event or that next big thrill you will never have satisfaction. You will just be biding your time until tomorrow comes and tomorrow is always a day away. The secret is loving the present.
So as these new days of a new year arrive we should savor each and every one, when they are here. When it's winter, make winter your favorite season. When it is spring, make spring your favorite season. And so on and so on. Find something good that happens every day and write it down. Keep a record of it. You will be surprised how easy that is to do.
I know it all sounds saccharine but isn't it better to concentrate on the positive than to wallow in the negative. There are a lot of things that could lead us into depression and negativity, but we need to fight that path. Once you are down it is hard to get back up.
So for the new year dream your dreams, emphasize the positive, and live in the present. It will make a difference. It honestly will.
JKC
==============================
Jackie K. Cooper is a weekly columnist at Macon Area Online.
Visit Jackie's website at Jackie K. Cooper.com or drop him a line at [email protected] if you enjoy his columns.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
