THE TIMES OF YOUR LIFE

Self-examination times.

One time you remember your birthday, Christmas, Thanksgiving, a date, a sad time, an exciting time, a time with your mother, with your father, your favorite teacher, your favorite hymn, your all-time favorite tv show, song, a fun time with your children (each, separately), a family get-together, at church, at a friend's house.

Don't take long. Make it almost a word association type thing where the first thing that comes to your mind about each is written down. You don't have to share them with anyone, but put them in a drawer.

Check them in a week. This time, give them some more thought. You might have some changes. You might have thought about one or more during the week. Sometimes our first recollections are not the most important.

Also add others: the first time I laid eyes on my spouse, my roommate in college, a friend who moved away when we were young, the last time I saw_____. You get the idea; the list is endless. Yet defining.

It'll at least give you something else to do these cold Winter days and nights. And since it's the start of a new year, it's good to reflect about you and the times of your life as the old song goes.