For the past several years my computer consulting business has been working on a software program to correct computer problems associated with the turn of the century. The process requires taking an inventory of all the programs and data files, and then analyzing this inventory to see what will work and what will not work when January 1, 2000 rolls around. Once you've made that assessment you can begin to determine which programs to replace with year 2000 compliant software and which programs you want to keep and modify to work in the next century

Working with this "y2k" issue so much for so long has been very interesting and has raised many issues and thoughts for me about the next millennium. At the same time serving Dignity in a leadership role these past 5 years has helped me to grow and become a better, stronger person-- one much more willing and able to take more risks in the pursuit of continuous self-improvement. I have in fact begun to apply the y2k assessments and solutions to my own life. I have asked myself where I would like to be in my life on January 1, 2000. I have set goals and objectives I want to achieve in the next 18 months to make me a better person. Goals which are challenging me, but are not so difficult that I can not achieve them

I have assessed where I am now and am continuing to assess where I am every day. I am paying particular attention to my own "programming" and deciding what is working, what is not working. Which "programs" I want to replace completely and which can be improved. It is a process, which requires me to have quiet time every day for contemplation and prayer to properly and honestly do a self-evaluation. This process has been working for me for a while now and is continuing to help me to make each day better than the previous

It has also helped me realize it is not enough for me to just work on my own self-improvement. If I want my world to be a better place in the next century I have to help others to grow and to be all they can be. Just like computers in a network, if one is not year 2000 compliant, then eventually those that are will be affected by the problem computer. So as I leave my official leadership role in Dignity, know that I care very much about my Dignity family and will be doing whatever I can to help each of us to have a better life each and every day of our lives. After a brief sabbatical, know that I will be back with you working even harder to improve our community; our church.

In closing, I want to thank all members of Dignity San Diego for the opportunity to have served as your President. It was truly an experience, which helped me to grow spiritually, mentally, and even physically into so much better a person. The job was never a burden to me, overwhelming at times, but never a burden. A responsibility I never took lightly. A responsibility in which I always did my best to make all my decisions based upon what I believed to be in the best interest of our community. Thank you for the greatest experience of my life--so far!

With deep love and respect for all of you and all of Dignity!

Mike