Happy New Year!  Continuing her travels, Deb closed out 2004 and rang in the New Year in Rio with Ennio.  You will hear about her latest adventures on her return.  Here in LA, Jim and I spent a quiet week. My father who had been ill passed away just before Xmas.  As we experienced his loss and witnessed the terrible devastation experienced by so many in South East Asia, I have been keenly aware of the preciousness of life and the importance of making the most of each moment we have.  These themes will be at the core of our work here at Synergy this year.  We are committed to supporting you by providing the programs, tools and coaching not only to help you be successful but to enable you to make the most of your life and the time you have. 

I am also grateful for all the love I have received during this time.  That and the outpouring of support and love for those affected in South East Asia shows how much we do care for each other and the difference we can make in each other's lives.  Synergy will be donating 10% of all income in January to the victims of the tsunami.  If you'd like to make a donation you can do so at: www.redcross.org or www.savethechildren.org. (Even 5 dollars makes a difference).  Both organizations donate 85% of funds received to those in need.

The Power of Completion by Adoley Odunton

A few weeks ago my Dad collapsed and was admitted to hospital.  He said he wouldn't make his next birthday.   He confessed to his priest, picked the hymns for his memorial service, gave my sister his will and told her that when she came to the hospital the following day, he would be gone.  The next day was Election Day.  After years of military rule, Ghana was having a democratic election.  Something my father had long prayed for.  He woke early in the morning and insisted the nurses take him to vote. They refused. He kicked up such a ruckus they called the doctor out of bed….. Click here to read how to find out what happened

To Acheiving Your Goals in the Coming Year

1) Decide on the most important thing you want this year and make it your #1 priority
2) Decide what kind of a person you would have to be to accomplish it.
3) Choose to be that person in every situation you find yourself in.
4) Take time to plan and ask for help.
5) Celebrate your successes no matter how small.
6) Learn from your breakdowns, they lead to your breakthroughs. 
7) Focus on your goal but be open to what God and the universe have in mind for you

Must see movie:  Hotel Rwanda 

In a year of unexceptional movies, I was moved and shamed by this docudrama which tells the story of Paul Rusesabagina, a manager of a five star Belgian hotel in Rwanda, who like Oskar Schindler in Schindler's List- bravely sheltered 1,268 of his countrymen from the genocide that claimed nearly a million people during a 100-day period in Rwanda. Like the rest of the world, I was caught up in my own life at the time and the massacre that was taking place in Rwanda barely registered.  

As the world shamefully refuses to intervene to stop the genocide - a parallel with the Holocaust - Paul risks his own life and that of his family  to save the lives of his neighbors. The strength of the movie is in Don Cheadle's extraordinary "Everyman" performance and in the undeniable power of the truth.  Paul is extraordinary because he is such an ordinary man.  He makes us you ask yourself: What would I have done in this situation?  - Would I have had the courage and the integrity to do what he did?"

"The universe can dream a much bigger dream than you can ever imagine."

Unknown

Wishing you the best year ever in 2005.  And remember, with the power of synergy, anything is possible!

Adoley