2012 has dawned. Instead of joining the media frenzy suggesting 2012 will bring disasters, or even the end of the world as we know it, let's look for the positives; the opportunities that the new year brings. In 2011 we experienced the 'Arab Spring' with repressed peoples across the globe successfully demanding freedom and democracy.
These movements required individual bravery and people joining together in a spirit of collective courage. These movements started with the individual searching for a sense of purpose and meaning and ultimately led to massive change; a better world for us all.
Our own search for purpose and meaning is the catalyst for us all to create better workplaces, better communities, better nations. When we find our passion we are driven to do more than we ever thought possible and at the same time contribute to personal and global well-being. People who have found their sense of purpose shine for us all to see, they may be humble achievers but they are seldom quiet. They are achievers, stars who make a positive difference.
Scan last weeks media and we find examples of people with purpose and meaning; people like Owen Glenn and Gareth Morgan. 
While different in many ways both these men have found their passion. Multi-millionaires, they could sit back and watch the beautiful sunset, but instead they strive to inform us about global issues such as inequality and sustainabilty. They both share a passion for New Zealand and want it to be a better place for us all. They both contribute huge amounts to worthy causes and speak up about the injustices that create poverty and deprivation. We could ask "Isn't it easy for them they have plenty of money?" I believe they would contribute to the well-being of New Zealanders in some way even if they weren't wealthy. When you have passion for what you do, the money becomes incidental, a byproduct of the service, the work you do. We can all become wealthy, abundant in many ways if we find our sense of purpose and meaning.
How do we find our sense of purpose and meaning? It begins simply. Stop, find moments of silence to look into yourself, to reflect on your feelings. Sense your comforts and discomforts and find what touches your heart. Investing the time to know yourself, your own sense of purpose and meaning is not a selfish pastime. It is essential to your own well-being. If we all found our passion and sought out the workplaces, the communities where we could act on that passion the dawn of 2013 would see a different world. A world that is kinder, more caring, more equal, more sustainable. Make 2012 your time. Make 2012 a world of opportunities for you, a time to be courageous, a time to contribute to your own and to global well-being.