Yesterday morning, the first day of 2011, I was bustling around in my early morning routine so that when 8:00 AM arrived I could be in front of the TV to watch the Rose Parade unfold.  This granddaddy of all parades has been required watching since my family got their first set.  And, I have even watched it in person.

So why am I bringing it up now and what does it have to do with commitment?  Well, first of all, without the commitment of hundreds of volunteers many of the floats would never happen.

Sure there are the floats done commercially but many of them are created by volunteers only and many of those volunteers have been doing it for years and years.  It is a huge commitment of time and energy yet the volunteers cant wait for œfloat time to roll around again. It seems to me that their commitment to the project every year provides the foundation for a wonderful creative experience.  It is clear to me that millions of people go through life and rarely create anything.

Creativity is not necessarily easy.  Bringing an idea into existence is a test.  Even though the volunteers have done it many times, each float is different.  New themes, a mixyure of old and new materials and sometimes working with strangers.  Their commitment to the  project outcome is what makes it all work.  And, what beautiful outcomes.

There have been millions of words written about commitment yet I think we still struggle at times first, in making them and second in keeping them.  Ii think this is mostly due to our relationship to commitment.

First of all, it is a choice.  You do not have to commit to anything.  You can just trudge along, taking what life dishes out and complaining about it in the process.

Consider that something is off in our relationship to commitment and that what we are really doing is setting goals, not making commitments.  No, they are not the same.  Now there is nothing wrong with goals and, in fact, they are useful in keeping us on track with our commitments.

For example, I could make a commitment to living a healthy life.  One of my goals is to lose 5 lbs. per month until I reach my target weight.  A second goal could be to maintain the target weight.  Both are based on some history I have with my weight.

Commitment (in this case a health life) creates a future beyond ones experience.  It is something that a person may not have any idea how to do it.  It requires the full use of ones creativity.  That is to say it requires you to fully express yourself.

Not the œhistorical you but the œanything is possible you.  What if you made commitments from there?  These commitments include family, friends, job, health and fitness, etal.  You can survive without committing to anything œbigger than a bread box.  That is living.  How about aliveness?  How about adventure?  How about fully ysing your skill, talent and ability?

A word of caution.  Once you commit, it will take daily practices to keep you on track.  Some practices will be great.  Others will be just œOK.  Some will be big flops. (A great time to learn something).  No matter.  You are in the game when you practice.  You are not when you dont.

One thing that will help. (I think this is what has the volunteers come back year after year). The more you are fully being yourself, the more creative you become and the more you contribute to the world around you.  You are most rewarded when you know you have been a contribution to the world around you.

Dont be resolute be absolutely yourself.  Have a great 2011!!!