A new year is often a time of reflection and looking back as well as planning for the coming year. Since I’m making a major change by moving to SiriusXM satellite radio, I wanted to look back on my 30+ years of being on the air, and especially to thank you for all you’ve given me during that time:

The Associated Press just recently released its “Chronology of News Events in 2010.” It includes such momentous occasions as the Obama administration filing a lawsuit in Phoenix to block Arizona’s toughest-in-the-nation immigration law (leaving out that it is an anti-illegal immigration law), actress Lindsay Lohan beginning a 14 day jail sentence (reduced from 90 days due to overcrowding) for violating probation in a 2007 drug case, Wikileaks posting 90,000 leaked U.S. military records from the war in Afghanistan, and…..

August 10 Talk radio host Laura Schlessinger uses N-word 11 times on-air while discussing interracial marriage, later apologizing.

What the AP does not mention:

* That I used the word to discuss its meaning and appropriateness in our society.
* That I questioned why our society allows blacks to call each other that name but does not allow whites to discuss the issues raised by that word.
* That I realized immediately the mere use of the word offended many of my listeners.
* That I “self-policed” myself, pulled myself off the air, and apologized the very next morning.
* That it wasn’t until 48 hours later that the liberal so-called news media at CNN teamed up with Media Matters, the Urban League and the NAACP to demand that I be silenced and taken off the air.
* That I NEVER called ANYONE that word. Instead, I was pointing out how that word is used ubiquitously in the black culture and community.

I am not a victim. We choose to be victims, and I do not choose that label for me. This event in my life - which I am responsible for - has led me to realize how precious free speech is in our country, and that there are forces gathering to restrict that fundamental First Amendment right.

In the few months since August 10, we’ve seen Rick Sanchez fired by CNN for expressing his opinion about Jon Stewart. We’ve seen NPR fire Juan Williams for expressing his opinion on Muslims and airport security. We’ve heard Al Sharpton (who called for me to be silenced from radio) call for the censorship of Rush Limbaugh and other talk show hosts who whom he disagrees.

We’ve heard a U.S. Senator - Jay Rockefeller - on the floor of the U.S. Senate ask that the FCC shut down Fox News. We’ve heard an FCC commissioner - one of 5 men who decide what can air on our radio and television stations - call for the monitoring and regulation of news. All of this to support an alleged right that is NOT in the Constitution - the right not to be offended.

So, I am committing myself to supporting free speech in any way I can, beginning with moving my program to a venue which reveres free speech. Check my website at www.drlaura.com to learn more about my move. I will use my new format to continue to help people be and do better in their lives as well as provide a forum of open discussion on such controversial topics as racism, abortion, religion, the destructive influence of feminism, and on and on.

I am energized by all that has happened to me, not only recently but over the three decades of my career.

In January, my new book Surviving a Shark Attack (On Land), deals with betrayals and revenge. I have some surprising things to say and to reveal.

Finally, I hope you will commit yourselves to keeping abreast of the central issue of a free country: free speech.

When you have so many family members in far-flung and not-so-far-flung places, how do you divide your time at the holidays so that everyone is happy?

Before and after the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, I get calls from folks who are agonizing over whether or not to invite someone who has been terrible to them and/or others - whether it’s a friend, parent, or child. Generally, the explanations about the problems with that friend, parent or child are horrendous! Ferocious drug abuse, violence, severe betrayals….they call because they want the “pretty picture” for the holidays regardless of the dramatically ugly issues that would have to be ignored.

I tell them all - each and every one - to make the holidays meaningful and not fantasy recreations. I tell them to go to orphanages or senior citizen homes, children’s hospitals, cancer wards, and make someone smile, instead of agonizing over fantasies unmet that frankly, should stay unmet.

Here’s an example of what I mean: Kansas City, Missouri has a Secret Santa, Part 2. Secret Santa Part 1, Larry Stewart, gave away more than $1 million to strangers each December, mostly in $100 bills. He died in 2007 at the age of 58, and another (still anonymous) Secret Santa has taken up the reins.

The new Secret Santa walks about with an elf - another tall man in a red cap - who asks people questions, and then provides them with the gift. The recipients? A police officer with terminal cancer, a homeless man pushing a rickety old shopping cart, an 81 year old woman who had recently told her 27 grandchildren that she wouldn’t be able to afford Christmas gifts, a 32 year old mother of two who lost her job because of the recession, and a woman whose husband and children died, and who has been having a tough time paying for the funerals.

Charitable donations have dropped off drastically, because people are watching every penny due to the sorry economic situation of the nation with 10% unemployment and taxes, taxes, taxes. When Secret Santa was asked about continuing his gifts during these tough economic times, he said “The recession, unemployment….this is the time you don’t want to stop. You don’t want to back off.”

Giving to the needy and less fortunate is always in season, especially when it is more difficult to do. That is what gives it meaning.

So, fuhgeddabout your disappointment that your family isn’t all sweet and adorable. Kindness in giving creates love.