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As many times as I've changed residences, moved from one state to another, even moved from country to country, I've been filled with a mixture of apprehension and excitement.

For many of us, just moving from day to day, month to month or year to year creates a similar anxiety or a subtle excitement. It doesn't matter whether we move in time or we move in space, there is one constant -- change.

It seems a contradiction to say that the only permanent thing we encounter in our daily lives is change, but change is what it's all about.

The process of growing from a child into a teenager and then into an adult is one that's constantly filled with change. There is an urge written deep within us, in our very genes and spirit, to grow and change and become the best we can.

Sometimes the urge is buried under tons of daily woes or in the joys of the moment, but it is there, nevertheless. Many of us fear change because we are fearful of the unknown.

My old friend, Deepak Chopra, once told me that it is not the unknown we should be afraid of, but, instead, the known. The unknown is what will become the known as we pour our hearts and minds into it. I go a step further and say we should not fear either the known or the unknown.

Whatever appears to be happening to us now, whatever the future seems to hold for us, we must remember that we have the power to change everything in our lives by a simple stroke of genius -- changing the way we look at things and, more important, changing the way we feel about things.

Reality is actually the interpretation of a point of view. If we do not like what seems to be our lot in life, we have but to change the way we look at our life and we'll change outcomes. I do not know why or how this happens. It might even be a mystical law. But this I know, throughout the centuries, the sages of all cultures have said, "Change your mind and you change your world."

For all of us, the arrival of a new year is just around the corner. It is a good time to review the events of the past year without dwelling on them. It is a better time to look forward into the newness of that which is to come and resolve to do the best you can with what you have.

The laws of the Universe may seem complex, but I have the feeling that is because we tend to want to analyze those laws and figure why they work. I believe it is much better to use those laws for our benefit and the good of all people.

This is a thought and belief world. Whatever we think, if we believe it strongly enough, it will become part and parcel of our lives. Some of you may say to me, "That's all well and good, John, but it's not easy to change your thoughts and your beliefs."

I agree wholeheartedly. It is not easy, but it's simple. Realize that you are NOT your thoughts. You only THINK your thoughts. They are yours and if they are yours, you can do with them whatever you want. Many times we let our thoughts scare us. It's as if our thoughts think US instead of the other way around.

And as to your beliefs, all you have to do is examine them and ask yourself why you believe what you believe. You may be amazed to find that your beliefs have held you captive all these years. Perhaps those beliefs were necessary at one time, but you may have outgrown them. Examine what you believe about money, health or relationships and ask yourself why you believe that.

Change your beliefs about the world and circumstances and you'll change your thoughts about life and how it works. If you suffer from lack, start changing your belief about money into one of abundance and affluence.

If you are experiencing illness, look at your beliefs about health and change them into wellness and well-being. And if you have poor, or non-existent relationships, change your beliefs into those of feeling loved and worthy of all good things.

Life is a process of change. Change is what brings us progress. Welcome change and the unknown. Let every day be the start of a new adventure. Go into the new week, the new year with a new you. Remember that you are a beautiful child of the Universe and the Universe will take good care of you if you believe, trust and expect.