As we settle into a New Year with our new resolves, new ideas, new dreams, new intentions, new perspectives, new everything we want to remind you that as exciting as the prospect of newness is; if we enter the year with the same old attitude then all the newness and new resolutions becomes naught.
And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined.” Matthew 2:22
I recall in one of our previous magazine issues, we shared a quote from Peter Singer an Australian philosopher. He hits the nail on the head when he says “Sometimes we know the best thing to do, but fail to do it. New Year’s resolutions are often like that. We make resolutions because we know it would be better for us to lose weight, get fit, or spend more time with our children. The problem is that a resolution is generally easier to break than it is to keep”.
We cannot pour new wine into old wine skins:
Resolutions should not be a one day focus on January 1st but should be a continuous occurrence throughout the year as needed. Resolutions should be the support that gets us to where we need to go. Our focus should be on making ourselves and each day progressively better. Understanding that systematic changes are more tolerable and achievable over a “big bang” change that usually overwhelms us, while trying to change. We should let the focus of the New Year be reflective and sobering; understanding that if change should come then it requires different actions. Not the same ole, same ole, while hoping to achieve something new.
Here Are Some Tips To Help Us Move Forward As We Embark on the coming year.
- Every 1st of January is not a new starting point; how about looking at January 1st as a continuation of the previous year. An opportunity to continue growing and building on the previous years accomplishment.
- Identify what did not work previously and decide to do something different in order to get a different and quite possibly a successful outcome.
- Accountability – getting an accountability partner always help. How about having an accountability party. Invite a few of your female or even male friends and together decide to hold each other accountable. If taken seriously this will cause positive impact in your achievements.
- Opportunities abound – everyday, every minute opportunities present themselves. To avoid missing these opportunities we must be present. We cannot be distracted by things that do not provide us with value per se…I do not need to spell that out, I think we know!
- Embrace each day fully – expecting only the best outcome. Yes, disappointments are a part of life but if not managed they can cause regression when our focus is progression. It is easier to focus on the negative and so we must remain upbeat. As hard and unrealistic it may seem, eventually it will become a habit.
- Understand that even with the best of intention we cannot do life on our own; and we must acknowledge God in all that we do. This will bring to us the kind of success that is not only meaningful to us but lasting.
This list is not exhaustive and ultimately only you know what is needed to get you to where you need to go. Not only do you know but you (only) possess what it takes to get to where you are going; and that is YOUR MADE UP MIND. You can get encouragement and direction but you get to decide to be your change; only then will you experience growth and a better life. Remember change the habits that needs changing, create a newness and freshness continuously in your life so that you will get the results and success that satisfies you!
Cheers to a New Year that can be your best ever! Do the work, Do what only you can, and keep in mind,
