Happy New Year 2013

New Year's Eve is an ancient holiday with deep spiritual roots.  For centuries people have been observing the end of one year and the beginning of another. 

It is a time of reflection of the past and hope for the future.  The period leading up to New Year's Day is a time for setting things straight: a thorough housecleaning, paying off debts, returning borrowed objects, reflecting on one's shortcomings, mending quarrels, giving alms.

As we enter 2013, what can we do to make a difference in the coming year? 

Speak from the heart.  Let people know either by your spoken words, or through notes you send, how much you love and care about them. 

Forgive someone.  Think of one person, past or present, toward whom you have ill feelings and forgive them.

Listen with compassion.  Listening compassionately simply means that you're making an effort to understand.

Stop and notice.  Stop, notice, and take in the small moments in life.

Make a difference for someone in need.  What can you do to make a difference in someone's life?

The Accredited family looks forward to 2013 and wishes our families, friends and agents the best year ahead. 

Happy New Year!

"Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures."                                                  John F. Kennedy

The Christmas Season

Once again we find ourselves enmeshed in the Holiday Season, that very special time of year when we get together with family and friends, eat delicious (and too much) food and look to Christmas morning with anticipation of what Santa brought us.

And for the children and adults who still believe . . .

“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus... Thank God!  He lives, and he lives forever.  A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.”

Francis Pharcellus Church

Yet as we celebrate this Christmas season, let us not forget the families of the innocent children and teachers killed in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newton, Connecticut.  Our prayers go out to all of them and the community at-large as they heal during this difficult time.

From our Accredited family to yours, we wish our country and especially our dedicated soldiers and their families peace, happiness and goodwill for 2013.
 

Merry Christmas