2012 has begun.

One thing I’ve noticed about these anticipated years: the real problems usually start later. Sometimes much later. 1984 is just about coming to roost now and it’s 2012. The expected problems of 2000 didn’t materialize, but something momentous was certainly in store for 2001. What does it mean? Maybe it means the powers that be don’t really want you to be prepared. After all, their vision is long term and most people don’t maintain their vigilance past the anticipated year. But even if we remain vigilant, us little people will rarely know the timing of any disaster. So, while I agree that it is good to have a general plan in case things go wrong, I think it is also good to have a plan in case things go right. If opportunity comes your way will you be in a position to take advantage of it?

That’s what resolutions are for. Well, resolutions are only part of it. Resolutions tend to be things you want to correct about yourself. You want to stick to your diet, or be more organized. Those are a step in the right direction, but they’re not the whole story.

By now everyone has heard of The Secret. The idea is that the universe (or God, or nature, or whatever you want to call it) is capable of supplying your every desire. Ask and ye shall receive. Seek and ye shall find. The genie says “Your wish is my command.” And all you have to do believe and receive. To many people it sounds like a whole lot of baloney. You could say it’s a form of prayer, if you believe in that kind of thing. But sometimes a little humility will bring you worthwhile results. So I’d say it’s worth trying. After all, if it works, it hardly matters how it works.

But I can think of at least one way that it must work. The first step towards making something a reality is recognizing that it is a possibility. Without that, no mind has the power to do anything at all. The first step is always an idea. This “ingredient” is often left out of the list and yet it is the most fundamental. Whenever something seems to you to be more than the sum of its parts, remember that this is impossible. You just forgot one of the parts: the idea. And because ideas have so much power, The Secret is really just logic in disguise. You will never accomplish anything if you don’t think about it first and believe it is possible. And the more you think about it and plan the more likely you will achieve.

So… have you made up your list of goals? What are you manifesting for the new year? What will you bring into being? What are your ideas? Write them out. Plan them out. See them as possible. Develop an air of quiet expectation. It does work. It works because that’s how the world works. It’s not mysticism. It’s just logic in disguise.

I have made my list of resolutions, plans, and goals. I even typed them out. One of my resolutions for 2012 is to write more. And by putting this out there I am building some expectation in you, too. I hope you’re going to hold me to it.

So Happy New Year’s Resolutions, everyone! Happy New Year 2012! Let’s resolve to make it a good one.