Getting Free

As another year comes to a close, do you find yourself taking stock? Assessing the ledger of your goals to see how they measure up against your accomplishments? Well, how'd you do??

Maybe you vowed to adhere to clean eating (three squares + plenty of water, fruits, and vegetables), but instead found yourself either under-eating to the point of obsession, or over-eating to the point of numbness.

Or perhaps you were going to write that graphic novel-introduce yourself to the cute guy on the L train-save for a rainy day-take a chance on love-apply to grad school-pay off your Henri Bendel bill-recommit to your spiritual practice-spend more time with your family-watch less reality TV and more public broadcasting-be more fearless...all in the name of getting free.

If you're in the black, I salute you! But if you came up short, no need to wallow: May I recommend Miss Alicia Keys's The Element of Freedom, a disc that is as introspective as it is soulful, as you regroup?

Every day presents another chance to get it right.