Happy New Year! Can you believe a full decade has passed since we rang in 2010?

How many pages do you suppose it would take me to list all the things that have transpired in my life over the last 10 years? I don't think there's enough paper in the world to document it all. I'm sure you feel exactly the same.

There have been triumphs, there have been tragedies, and there have been all the beautifully mundane moments between that make up this amazing experience we call life.

Each new year, I (just like you,) can't help but go over in my mind everything that's happened since the last time the ball dropped in the Big Apple and fireworks lit up the sky over the Space Needle. All those resolutions made, and all those forgotten almost as soon as the thought was formed...

One thing I like to remind myself however, is that January 1 is also the first of 365 opportunities throughout the year to remake my life into the one I want for myself.

365 opportunities to be more kind, more caring, more thoughtful, more mindful, more healthful. To do more for others, to try something new, to take another stab at something I tried before.

365 is a LOT of days - and good news, 2020 is a leap year, so we have one more! 366 days to create the life we want.

What will that look like for you?

January Book Club | Work In Progress
by Leanne Ford and Steve Ford

Are you living your life by design or by default? That's the question my January Book Club pick, Work In Progress, begs.

I’ve often told the story of how I was fired from one radio job after another before finally landing in the role I’ve had since 2002; Nationally syndicated radio personality and owner of my own production company.

Oh, my friends, there is soooo much truth in the axiom, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!" I'm a stronger, more confident, and much more successful person than I would have been had I stayed in one of those earlier, lower-paying, single-market jobs.

Work In Progress, is another story of failures leading to successes, this one told by a sibling duo originally from suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and now known as the king and queen of eclectic-design chic with their own HGTV show, Restored By The Fords.

Leanne Ford and Steve Ford were born with creative spirits that manifest themselves in unique and unexpected ways. Their design aesthetics weren’t always embraced by mainstream, but by allowing their inner voices to guide them, and by never giving up, and never letting fear get in the way of a great idea, they too fell upon the perfect platforms for their passions and abilities.

So what’s this book going to do for you? Well, the Ford's want to know what makes you feel most ALIVE?! And once you’ve answered that question, they want you to take that passion and use it to see your dreams become your realities. They hope that by not only sharing their story, but also a few secrets, and some tried and true processes, they can help you navigate the many mine-fields that growth and success place in your path, and help you to realize the big-picture plan for your life.

As they see it, life is a creative process and at the end of each chapter, Leanne and Steve will ask questions to help you design an extraordinary life. Because, it's NEVER too late to pursue your next dream!

Pick up Work In Progress HERE

Podcast | LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah

I've wrapped up Season I of LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah, my re-branded podcast series, with two very special guests. The first was a guy in a red furry suit and a long white beard who took time out of his crazy busy schedule to drop in and spread some holiday cheer and chat with my 4 youngest kids. The next was a tall handsome fellow in a more conventional suit (the business type) who shared the story of the organization he currently chairs, Santa's Volunteers, in the Chicago area. If you haven't listened yet, you should! Every day should be the season of joy and giving!

I'm looking forward to another wonderful year of podcasting. We have some incredible guests and organizations lined up to chat with in 2020. Richard Marx, for example, was recently at the farm with me.

Did you know he was writing hit songs as a teenager? Even before his first album was release his songs, like What About Me with Kenny Rogers, Kim Carnes, and James Ingram, were playing on radio stations across the country. And then his self-titled debut album, was released in June of 1987; on it were four hit singles and it sold nearly four million copies in the US!!! He hasn't stopped writing, singing, and producing, and lucky for us, he probably never will! He's a fun, engaging, and very "real" guy. He's going to be Right Here Waiting For You on LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah soon!

Be on the lookout for my podcast episode with Richard, as well as one with the amazing Celine Dion, and many more with incredible authors, activists, and others changing the world, One Heart At A Time!

Craft | Wooden Disk Painting

This past Christmas I caught the craft bug (to be honest, that happens every Christmas...) and it hasn't gone away yet! I had a number of small little wood disks lying around and I began painting them to use as tree ornaments. The next thing you know, I was making name tags, and "collections" to gift to others. IT JUST WON'T STOP!

I'm loving this because I can do as many or as few as I want each evening as I sit and take your calls. I find the activity to be so soothing. It's a fabulous way for me to decompress after a day full of kids and animals, commitments and appointments.

The supplies are simple. Some disks easily obtained through Amazon or other retailers, a few bottles of craft paint, some brushes and your imagination!

Don't think of yourself as an artist or painter???? You can use stencils or tracing paper to transfer images you've printed out.

Try it! You never know what kind of inspiration will take hold of you.

I've created this little winter table scape using a branch, a jug found in a thrift shop (of course!), and some of my paintings. What will you do with your creations?

Today is day #8 - have you made each day of the new year count?

Yes? Wow, I'm so proud of you - I'n not sure I can really say the same.

No? That's OK! We've got 358 more opportunities!

If you find yourself losing track more than keeping track (I'm first with my hand in the air!) how 'bout trying a gratitude journal or jar? We've talked about this many a time! Take a few minutes each day to jot down one, two, or three things you noticed during the day that you can be grateful for. Or write them down on a little bit of paper and place them in a jar.

Go back over your notes at routine intervals or save them all up until December 31... It's a beautiful way to retrain your brain to look and think about positive things, and an uplifting reminder when you are feeling a little low, about how truly blessed we all are.

Happy New Year friends! You make my life so meaningful and bring such joy. I hope many wonderful things and experiences come your way in 2020, and I hope that you make the most out of our 366 brand new opportunities to make the life that you desire!

-Delilah