And so it has finally arrived . . . 2010. Much contemplated, much forecasted, much anticipated. Man, I sure hope it lives up to what everybody is expecting. While I don’t understand it at all, soothsayers from all over the world insist on predicting events expected to happen throughout this coming year, and the majority of them have felt the need to let me in on it by sending me thousands of email offers. They proclaim to hold the secrets to the unknown, promise to solve the mysteries that await me, and they’re even willing to predict tragedy and disaster so I can try to side-step all the drama.

          Let me see . . . so far I’ve been peppered with predictions of World War III happening in 2010, and most of them say this war will begin with the U.S. and an "unforeseen" enemy. These predictors warn me often of major terrorist attacks on American soil, sometime between February and November, and they tell me that a great leader of a troubled country will fall. Just about every single one tells me of the significant changes being brought about by global warming and the "green house" effect. A few gave dire predictions of disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires, a few predicted the extinction of half a dozen or so animals on the planet, and believe it or not, more than a few predicted that President Obama would be put in a position to make unpopular decisions that would affect the people of the world.

          Well duh. ‘Ya think? If these people are getting paid to make these predictions, they are making way to much money or I’m in the wrong line of business, because I just ain’t buying it. EVERY year somebody says we’re in for World War III. EVERY year we’re about to be attacked on American soil. And EVERY year somebody has to go on and on and on about global warming. The same with a leader of an "un-named" country falling, extinct animals and natural disasters. And let’s face it, EVERY decision made by a U.S. President is unpopular somewhere. So where’s the great soothsaying power in all this?

          Gimme a break.

          They want to make predictions that will make me a believer in their "special powers"? Give me the name of the winning Super Bowl or World Series team, today. Tell me the actual score. Give me the Powerball numbers for next Saturday. Tell me the date my next grandchild will be born . . . be believable, be surprising . . . for Pete’s sake, be right for once!

          Can’t we just look forward to a year without all the gloom and doom hanging over our heads making us want to crawl into a cave and hide in until 2011 rolls around? Can’t we, just once, face a new year without expecting the worse around every corner. I mean, if I’m going to want people to pay me for seeing the future, I’m going to want to tell them things they want to hear, aren’t you?

          In fact, let’s give it a shot.

          My own crystal bowling ball is giving me some pretty exciting information on the new year as well . . . hmmmmm . . . it is saying that next year, without fail that Friday will follow Thursday on your weekly calenders; dogs will bark; cat’s will meow; Ohio State fans will wear . . . red; Mountaineer fans, blue. The sun will shine, the rain will fall and when you least expect it, birds will sing.

          There now. Unlike every other predictor in the world, I will guarantee these predictions of mine. And guess what . . . all for free. No $19.99 offers or three easy payments of $9.99. Absolutely free.

          And the best part of my fortune telling is this . . . You get to decide your own future. You get to determine the outcome of 2010, it’s in your hands to do with what you will. You have the power to believe or not believe, to choose and/or not to choose.

          There now, the pressure is off me and my bowling ball and on to you and the decisions you’re about to make. Do a good job folks, because like every other decision you have made all your life . . . your choices affect a lot more people than just you.

          We don’t need fortune tellers to tell us what things to expect to happen in our own lives, we just need to expect better things for ourselves and others and do a little something to try to bring about the desired effect.

          Let’s look forward to the small victories in 2010 just as we look forward to summer, or vacation time or a bonus check . . . and let’s leave the soothsaying to other, more incapable souls, than ourselves.

          Happy ‘10!