Page 44 - January_2016_Life_In_Naples_Magazine

THE POWER OF

by Lois Bolin PURPOSE
Old Naples Historian NO MEANDERING IN A MAZE OF MEDIOCRITY

A n optimist stays up until midnight to see the community stewards, SWFL Veterans Alliance Inc. was started. Our 501(c)(3)
New Year in. is dedicated to the mission of teaching local and American history, and aiding
A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year our local veterans. Those individuals are Reg Buxton, Diane van Parys, Wayne
leaves. Smith and Honorary Board member, Michel Dohtery and Peter Thomas.

“Out with the old and in with the new” is the Our first outreach was Operation Christmas Spirit where we provided
underpinning of every New Year’s resolution; but as most Christmas trees and lights to veterans. On the first day, one of the counselors at
resolutions seems to go in one year and out the other, why our local VA encouraged a reluctant veteran to take home a tree. He decided that
bother at all? maybe he would and maybe he would bring his daughter over for the first time
because his dreary place would not be so dreary anymore.
Resolutions are intended to get us off on the right foot
each New Year. Symbolic rituals have been meticulously If this had been the only tree taken that day, I would have called the operation
created to affect the quality of the good luck we expect for successful because who could ask for anything more than to know that the spirit
the coming year. It was once believed that the first visitor of Christmas would be shining in this vet’s home and maybe within his heart
on New Year’s Day could bring either good or bad luck once again.
for the year. Perhaps this is why private parties became the
thing to do. KEEPING THE SPIRIT ALIVE

Since the New Year is all about making the coming The 2016 dye is cast for me. While I am known as an Old Naples Historian,
year the best, we need to note that perhaps America’s idea I am also now known as the “veterans lady.” It’s an extraordinary gift I have been
of resolutions came from “Poor Richard’s Almanac” in given to have met and worked with so many pioneering families. The same is
1738, when Benjamin Franklin wrote of the importance now true for veterans.
of getting rid of old habits to make way for better ones
around the New Year: “Each year one vicious habit rooted Wherever this path may lead, the following will be my guide for the New
out, in time might make the worst man good throughout.” Year. It has been since 2007:

RESOLUTE RESOLUTIONS My vision is set - my gait is steady. The road is long, my way is honorable, my
guide is my values.
Making a resolution (or two) is how we begin to harness
our personal power - how we give our lives direction. Yet, I cannot be bought, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will
what powers our resolutions is this nebulous thing called not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, ponder at the
“purpose,” which works in tandem with our values. pool of popularity, or meander in a maze of mediocrity.

Purpose is our deepest belief within our being - it is a I won’t give up, let up, shut up or slow down. My intent is pure – I will serve to
sense of knowing who we are, and what we’re here to do, preserve the history of our Community – I will serve to preserve the history of our
which provides a source energy to persevere. country - I will serve to honor our military and veterans.
(Adapted from Robert Moorehead)
No one simplifies this notion of purpose better than
Victor Frankl in his book, “Mans Search for Meaning.” if May your best days of 2015 - be your worst days of 2016!
you have a big enough “why,” you can overcome any “how.”

ENGAGING THE WHY

In 2004 I began working to raise awareness on the
economic and sociological impact of local history. This
path eventually led to me to learn about the impact that
WWII had on Naples as well as Florida. In 2010, I started
Naples Spirit of 45’s Greatest Generation weekend, which
pays tribute to the ending of WWII and the legacy of this
extraordinary generation, who set the standard for those
who have followed in their footsteps.

Five years later, with the help of many dedicated

44 Life in Naples | January 2016