What Are You Hoping for in 2012?

 

Are you ready for the new year? Are you ready to put 2011 behind you and move on to what is waiting for you in the new year? If you are as ready as I am to say goodbye to the old and prepare for a new and promising future, then I suggest that you begin to expect the best and HOPE for blessings to begin coming your way.

Hope—like faith—is the ability to expect and anticipate God’s blessings and goodness. For we are asked to believe in and hope for what we cannot see, what is not tangible, but what can occur and come into fruition. We are told in Hebrews 1:1 that “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” It is through faith and hope that we build a relationship with God that allows us to trust in and believe in His goodness; a relationship that instills in us the fact that without faith we have no hope, we have no promise for the future. 

So what can you do to begin your journey of hope for the new year? It’s simple—be hopeful, and expect doors to open for you. Expect that your life is in transition into new and exciting opportunities. Expect that 2012 is just the beginning of more blessings and promises that God has in store for your life. And that His plan can be all that you ever desired or imagined when you simply decide that faith and your relationship with Him can bring a new beginning. 

Small Town Girl Wins Big!

Wit, skill, and just plain know how it what Sophie Clark used to out smart and out maneuver her competition in this season’s finale of Survivor on CBS. Held in the South Pacific, the winner is a 22 year old medical student from Willsboro, NY. Clark states that "I think I had my finger on the pulse of the game the whole time," after it was announced she won.

 

While watching the finale, I was at first a little skeptical about the whole thing since I am not much of a reality TV fan but some friends talked me into it and soon I began to lighten up once they clued me in on some of the history behind the show. For example, the infamous Uncle Russell who has frequented the series often but never won is such an interesting character that he was interviewed during the finale. His nephew Brandon was one of the competitors who just happen to give his immunity to another player (Albert) that made it to the final three. That a huge mistake. 

 

Then there is Coach Wade. This season was his third attempt on the show. As the leader of his tribe, his big mistake was thinking that he could remain loyal to everyone. Guess what, he couldn’t, and that came back to haunt him when the jurors had to vote for the winner. Last be not least is the fan’s favorite Ozzy. Perhaps because Ozzy spent more time on Redemption Island than anyone else, he won more challenges than anyone else. He certainly increased his strength and endurance while he was there which made him a more challenging opponent. But all of his hard work paid off and he didn’t walk away empty handed. Fans rewarded him with the Fan’s Favorite prize of $100,000

Overall I must admit that the finale was exciting, exhilarating and so pleasant to watch a woman win Survivor. Go Sophie! You are the Sole Survivor.

Educated and Jobless

Not since WWII have young Americans faced such a troubling time when it comes to gaining employment. Sure, everyone is feeling the pinch all over, but our young and newly degreed professionals are finding themselves prepared for a career, but lacking the opportunity to spread their wings. 

A little less than half (45%) of consumers between the ages of 16 and 29 are unemployed, 25% of consumers between the ages of 25 and 34 are residing with their parents, and consumers under the age of 35 earn 68% less than consumers their age did 25 years ago. What adds to this dilemma is the cost of a higher education. Students graduating from college owe an average student loan debt of $24,000, which represents a staggering $829 million dollars in total student loan debt across our nation.

To read more about this debt crisis facing American youth, read the full article available at NPR.