How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.(Daily Press)

Byline: Felicia L. Mason

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. _ The end of each year should be a time for reflection. Many of us live our lives at warp speed. We spend so much time hurtling from one event, program, project or crisis to another that we never take the time to truly savor the moments and events that crowd our lives.

A few years ago, I realized I was losing sight of some of the things that mattered most to me. I was so busy doing something I couldn't tell you what exactly that I'd somehow managed to lose contact with friends. I'd let my house become a landfill of books and papers and piles. And I couldn't seem to find the time to spend an hour or two in my favorite art galleries, to walk on the Noland Trail or to do any of the things that I enjoyed doing just for the pleasure of the activity.

Something had to give in a way that allowed joy back into my life. So in conspicuous places around the house, I posted signs to myself. Not so little reminders. The posters asked four questions:

_ Did you: Write today?

_ Connect with a friend?

_ Clear a pile?