From SGI USA, I'm Cassidy Bradford and this is bootability.

The weekly series where I talk with Buddhists from all walks of life about the power we each have to change our lives and the world around us.

The year started off strong. You had big ambitions, tons of goals.

This was going to be your year.

And as the year moved forward, so did you.

Eyes still on the prize, you took each day one step at a time.

Some days felt like leaps in the right direction, while others felt like falling backwards.

But here you are, in the final stretch. Just a few weeks left. The end of

December is in sight. And man, it has been a year. You're tired and you made it far enough in the race toward your goals, right? You didn't

really expect to make it to the finish line anyway. You already lost at this point, so

what's the use in trying? Better to just take the wins you had and get some shut-eye.

And just like that, it's January 1st, and you've completely slept through that final stretch of the year.

You're groggy and you're running late.

Instead of finishing the year with a victory and feeling accomplished, you drifted

off and ditched any goals you had. Now, this isn't to say we shouldn't relax. Rest plays a big

role in leading a balanced and joyful life. But there is a big difference between relaxing with a sense of fulfillment and relaxing

in a place of resignation. I've heard it said that the way you finish one year is how you start the next.

So how can we finish this year strong and proud of everything we've accomplished?

If you've ever met someone who practices SGI Nietzschean Buddhism, you've probably heard them say

something along the lines of, I have to win, let's win. Buddhism is about winning.

And you might think that feels a little competitive for Buddhists, but it's not about winning in a fight against others.

It's about winning the fight against our doubt.

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