The Hope Of A New Year
This pandemic saga has left us reeling. Plans once made have been deferred, postponed, or otherwise rescheduled for the unknown distant future. There have been so many restrictions and missed opportunities, dreams, and adventures. The last two years have not had the same wonderful impact of years gone by. The promise of a New Year has caused me to reflect upon the dreams I've placed on hold and the possibility of making them a reality. One dream for sure is to reschedule vacation plans and destination ideas with hopes of new places to visit, new adventures to take, and new memories to make.
There is something exhilarating about a New Year and creating new dreams and goals and the adventures they will take us on, then to look back a year from now at what we learned, how we grew, and where we ventured.
It's important to check in with ourselves and examine where we are. To take inventory of how far we've come and the progress we've made over the past year. To re-evaluate our current path and the trajectory we're on so that we can make the proper adjustments and tailor our course of action.
In spite of the statistics that tell us that 92% of all resolutions fail, we have a choice. All we have to do is decide what we want is more important than our fears, living in our comfort, and not taking risks. I'd rather look back a year from now knowing that I was brave enough to take risks, set sail, and land on new uncharted territories. To look back upon my life with no regrets, no what ifs, or what could have been.
William Faulkner said it best: “You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.”
What about you? Do you have the courage to lose sight of the shore toward the direction of your dreams? Toward the person God created you to be? This much is true, if you do nothing, nothing will change in 2022.
So, as you look back on the year, what remembrances reflect what you've learned and how you've grown?
Was there an experience that caused you to make a decision and step outside of your comfort zone? To seize an opportunity that changed the orientation of your life?
Is there a moment you can recall where you felt especially proud of yourself for something you accomplished or something you overcame because you had the courage to lose sight of the shore and go after what you wanted most?
The point isn't whether you fail or succeed. What's important is that you took a positive step forward. You believed in yourself. You left the safe shore toward better outcomes and you became a stronger person because of it.
When we reflect upon our lives, we are able to see more clearly where we've been, how far we've come, and we can be more intentional in the action we take and the person we want to become.
As you reflect on the last 12 months, what are you able to see more clearly?
What insights and breakthroughs have you made?
How can you execute your plans to accomplish what you set out to do?
It's great to make resolutions, because it invites us to look forward toward a New Year with optimism and excitement.
You are at the wheel and you have a choice to set sail or to stay on your safe shore. What will you choose?
What risk will you take?
What will you let go of this year? Fear, anger, regret?
Who will you become in 2022?
Today is the day ...
A New Year awaits
Like a birthday for all
Filled with surprises and treats
What will the year unwrap
Let's open and see
The possibilities are endless
For you and me!
So, as we welcome 2022, be grateful for where you are at and optimistic for where you are going. The hope of a New Year is here. The adventure beckons. Begin today!
May this be a better year filled with dreams and hopes and new possibilities.
And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5
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