Good Morning! Today is National Let It Go Day. It’s a day to focus on freeing yourself from all negative thoughts and worries. Commit the next 24 hours to focusing on the positive aspects of your life and delighting in the healing powers of a grateful heart.

Today the weatherman is calling for a mixture of clouds and sunshine with scattered thunderstorms and a high of 87°.

Here’s what’s brewing in the news this morning:

Primetime with the President

Last night in a widely anticipated speech, President Barack Obama, announced a brisk drawdown of 33,000 U.S. forces from Afghanistan by the end of next summer.

The announcement came as Americans continue to grow impatient with the almost ten year old war and the continued economic crisis in the United States. The drawdown will leave some 68,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan at the end of next summer. Obama said those remaining forces will be withdrawn in phases by 2014.

The President said his decision in December of 2009 to order 30,000 additional troops into Afghanistan was “one of the most difficult decisions” he has made since being in office. Obama also emphasized the important role the Afghan government must play in securing their nation and depriving al Qaeda of a safe haven.

In last night's address, Obama also discussed the importance of focusing on nation building here at home, while upholding the beliefs and principles on which our nation was founded abroad.

“We must remember that what sets America apart is not solely our power -– it is the principles upon which our union was founded,” he said. “We’re a nation that brings our enemies to justice while adhering to the rule of law, and respecting the rights of all our citizens. We protect our own freedom and prosperity by extending it to others.”
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Self-help guru found guilty in sweat lodge deaths
Self-help guru James Arthur Ray was found guilty of negligent homicide in the death of three people after they died attending one of his exercises in a sweltering sweat lodge nearly two years ago. The prosecution in the case claimed that Ray made the lodge too hot and that he implored participants to trust him and persevere even if they felt they couldn't take the heat. Ray, 53, faces a sentence ranging from probation to 11 years in prison. (Read more here)
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50 Cent writes a book on bullying
Rapper 50 Cent, who has already penned two non-fiction books, is now adding the title of children’s author to his resume. In January, he is slated to release a new book about bullying geared at teens. The semi-autobiographical novel Playground, is written from the bully’s point of view. "I had a strong desire to write Playground because I wanted to explore how a kid becomes a bully," 50 said in a statement. "Now that I have a teenage son, it is my goal that this will have a positive influence on all teenagers." (Read more here)

***This is your chance to speak out. Please share what’s brewing on your mind this morning in the comments section below.

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