Starting Anew – Not Only A “New Years” Resolution

Hello friends

Wow, another year has gone by and we get to start anew. Often January is a month where people take a look at their past year and do some reflections and evaluations. It is during this time that they resolve to make changes in their lives. Often the changes they plan to make are drastic as well as unrealistic. Let’s face it – lasting change occurs gradually for most people. When we set unrealistic goals and try to change too many things all at once, we often will fail. This is why New Years resolutions rarely work.

Reflecting and Evaluating

Today I sit the quietness of my room and take an honest look at the past 12 months. I invite you to take a moment and do your own self-reflection. Go to your favorite spot whether it be indoors or outdoors and without distractions. Take your favorite beverage, a pen and your journal. Sit quietly and enjoy the solitude of the moment. Prayerfully ask yourself the following questions and write down the answers as they come to you.

The Questions

1. How did I cultivate a relationship with God? What did I do in order to foster my spiritual growth?

2. Did I take care of the relationships that God has given me? What did I do to show care to the people who crossed my path? How did I act with grace and kindness?

3. How did I care for my body? Did I seek to glorify God in all the choices that I made? What changes have I made and held onto?

4. Was I grateful? Did I make the choice to put on an attitude of gratitude each and everyday?

5. Did I let go of the hurts, bitterness, resentments, anger and unforgiveness towards others? What am I still holding on to?

6. What did I learn about myself this year? About others? About God?

My Personal Testimony

This past year has been full of change for me. It has been both exciting and scary as I walk in the unknown.

Relationship With God

My relationship with God has flourished and I am more in love with Him than ever before. I have made it a practice to join and follow through with bible study throughout the year and have seen a positive impact in my life. Through this, I feel more connected to God and more at peace with who I am and where I am in life. I have made it a habit to evaluate my spiritual journey and seek The Lords guidance on a daily basis. Reading the Word of God on a regular basis has fed my spirit.

Relationships With Others

I am a true introvert and have had to work on getting myself involved with other people. One of the tasks that I am working on is getting together with a friend (s) a few times a month. This has been a challenge for me and I have not always been successful, however it is an area that I will continue to work on. I have been encouraging and supportive of those around me and I am mindful of other people’s feelings. Being kind to strangers has been important to me and I engage in random acts of kindness.

Caring For My Body

This is an ongoing process for me. I have improved greatly and realize that there is still a lot of room for improvement.  One of the activities that I engage in weekly is an accountability group. This has helped me tremendously with my nutritional, exercise and water drinking goals.

Gratitude

For the past 20 plus years I have focused on gratitude.  I learned the importance of being grateful and how it affects every aspect of my life.  Daily I recall at least 5 things that I am grateful for that day.  Even in the tough days – I can find gratitude. It has positively enriched my life.

Letting Go and Forgiveness

This is a tough one I believe for many people – and I am one of those people.  I had to really work on letting go this past year. There were some big hurts that occurred in my life and I had to go through the process of feeling them and then giving them to God. The days that I struggled with forgiveness were the days that I reminded myself that forgiveness was not a feeling, rather it is a choice. Once I make the choice to forgive and let it go, God can then begin the healing process in my heart. If you are needing some guidance in letting go please click here – 5 ways of letting go.

What Did I Learn

The major things I learned this year was love and courage. God loves me and wants me to be treated well. I also learned to press forward and have courage – even when the road I am on in unfamiliar. Getting out of my comfort zone is vital if I want to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in my life. Giving up is removed from my vocabulary and my mindset. I am stronger, braver and more capable than I give myself credit for. Letting go and forgiveness is essential for my healing. Balance is key for a healthy life and that includes rest. My relationship with God is the most important relationship that I am in. He loves me and He loves through me.

Starting Anew

Lamentations 3:22-23 (amp)