It's the new year and the world is flush with declarations of the gonna-dos ahead: gonna get healthy; gonna quit some terrible habit; gonna get a better job/house/car/partner; gonna get the finances in order.
Gonna do a lot of good things.
We're two weeks in the new year ... gonna keep that resolution? If you are a resolution maker, I wish you the best of luck.
I mentioned before that I don't usually make resolutions at the first of the year. I like to evaluate my life closer to my birthday in March.
Still, as we wrap up the celebration of Christ's arrival at Christmas, it does make sense to assess our lives. Christ brought with Him redemption. That second chance is the true gift of Christmas and one that should not go unappreciated.
I have to admit, my holiday season was hectic. I felt overwhelmed, overextended, overcommitted and, by the time Christmas arrived ... well, over it all.
It felt petty to have the blues when I know how very fortunate and truly blessed I am. But that's how I felt. It was my reality.
I also had the flu for the first time since 1996 and it was certainly not mood enhancing.
So, with New Year's Day, came renewed health (thanks, Tamiflu!) and a real desire to climb out of this unusual holiday funk.
We've just passed the darkest days of the year, and with each day, we step closer to greater light. Again, it makes sense to begin a new - or renewed - journey of self discovery as the days begin to slowly stretch longer. Those streaks of orange-pink-purple in the sky at 6:15 p.m. are a most welcome reminder that we need not remain in darkness for long.
I want to be ready to greet the light as it dawns with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation. Like all those yearly resolution-makers out there, I want to be a better version of me. The best way I know to do that is not by making a list of goals of questionable attainability, but by paring down.
I am resolved to listen.
That's right: listen.
Just listen.
Listen to God when He calls me.
Listen to what my heart tells me.
Listen to what others are telling me by their words or actions.
Too many times, I run on autopilot: do this, go here, be that, change this. I am pulled in a lot of different directions, trying to do a lot and be a lot for a lot of people. I get distracted and my priorities get jumbled. I lose myself.
I am resolved to be still. I will be quiet. I will listen.
My hope is to turn off autopilot and do, go, be, change - whatever is needed - with renewed focus and genuine intention.
So, how am I going to do this?
The only way I possibly can: prayer.
