If we are like most people, we just can't help it. There is something about the start of the New Year that makes us want to make a new and fresh start. We want to make a new beginning. As we approached a New Year we often make promises or resolutions which we hope to accomplish and carry out in the New Year.
What resolutions have we made? Our thoughts often turn to improving ourselves. I will lose weight. I will stop smoking. I will stop drinking. I will exercise more. I will be a better parent and spouse... And the list goes on. But for most of us, by mid February we have given up or we lose heart and the New Year's promise/resolution has been broken.
The problem with these promises or resolutions is that they are all self centered. We focus on the end result and not on the process. Now I am not saying that it is wrong to try to improve one's self - it is indeed good and worthwhile to try improve one's health, and life style.
For some of us it is hard to make changes. For many, January is the dark and depressing month. The cold frigid temperatures often keep us indoors more than we would like to be indoors. For some of us, January is also the time when all the Christmas bills start to roll into our homes causing more stress in our homes and families.
If we have experienced a death this past year- our thoughts will still focus around our loss and that is where it needs to be right now. We need to grieve before we can heal and move forward in the New Year.
We all want this coming year to be better than last year was - even if last year was a good year for us. So how can we make 2013 a better year?
Often we overlook the things that are the most valuable to us. Let us turn our attention and our thoughts to the things that are most valued and most meaningful to us. Perhaps then our New Year's resolution would look somewhat different.
For most of us, our family and friends play a very important role in our lives. Perhaps our New Year's resolutions could focus on our relationships with others and the relationship we have with our Creator instead of focusing on ourselves. What would our New Year's resolution look like now? Would the focus have changed? So how can we make our New Year's resolution a life changing event, and not a short term event?
In one of the congregations we were members- the pastor had the same sermon for each wedding she did, and it was very simple message. She encouraged the couple to say two things to each other every day, "I love you" and "I forgive." It didn't matter how many times we heard this message, the pastor got praise from the guests for giving the couple such important and practical advice.
As we begin a new year we to can learn from such simple and practical advice. Each day we have the opportunity to say, "I love you" to family and friends, and we also have the opportunity to forgive the wrongs that were done.
As we start our New Year let us treasure the things that are the most valued and most meaningful to us. Our New Year's resolution for 2013 can change our lifestyle forever.
"Approach this New Year with praise and thanksgiving and find the rich opportunities hidden in each new day."
Margaret Anne Yost nursed for 35 years. Returning back to school I completed classes from the Red River College in the areas of Gerontology, Bereavement, Death and Dying. For twelve years I worked in bereavement support at a funeral home.
At present I am employed as an Interim Parish Worker at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Melville Sask. I also enjoy my role as homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother.
