The document tells a story about learning to surf in Waikiki beach in Hawaii. The narrator is nervous about trying to ride the large waves. A local beach boy instructs him to paddle hard when a wave comes and try to stand up. However, the most important thing is not to look back at the large wave behind him. When a wave comes, the narrator forgets this advice and looks back, which causes him to fall off his board. Though he survives, the experience teaches him not to dwell on past mistakes but to face forward with confidence towards new opportunities.

1. A Surfing Story CLICK TO ADVANCE SLIDES ♫ Turn on your speakers! For the New Year

2. I was face down on a surfboard about half a mile off the beach at Waikiki. I had always wanted to try to ride the Hawaiian surf, but out here among these giant green swells I suddenly didn't feel very adventuresome. “ This is far enough,” said the brown-skinned beach boy who had accompanied me on his own board. “Now turn and face the beach. When a wave lifts your board, paddle hard. Then stand up.”

3. “ The main thing?” he repeated with a smile. Stand up? “Tell me,” I croaked, trying to keep the panic out of my voice, “what's the main thing to remember?” “ Don't look back!”

4. The next wave lifted the board. Ahead of me a great chasm seemed to open in the sea. The board tilted down and plunged deep into an emerald precipice that seemed almost vertical. I tried to stand up. Behind me, I knew, a million seething tons of saltwater were poised above my head. In that instant I forgot what the beach boy had said-- I looked back. …

5. … Well, I didn't drown. Not quite, anyway. I stayed there, floating in the Pacific while my board went plunging away by itself, until finally I summoned the courage to try again.

6. I've always remembered what the beach boy said: Don't look back. At past mistakes. At lost opportunities. At hurt feelings. At grievances, real or fancied. No, look forward. Face forward. Concentrate on what lies ahead. That's the main thing to remember. Lord, as I face the New Year, help me to reach out to the challenging future, not look back to the unchangeable past. — Arthur Gordon

7. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14 NKJ) HAPPY NEW YEAR! KEEP LOOKING FORWARD! 2010