It's the last day of the year, and almost automatically, we are drawn to a kind of certain retrospection. That's not the worst thing in the world, but too often we are partial to the negative. I like to say that the seductive nature of pessimism is especially alluring this time of the year. Don't give in to it. Life isn't always either good or bad. Mostly, it is either a mix of both or comfortable in between the spectrum of both ends. In that vein, here are some things to keep in mind for now or whenever.
1) Stop beating yourself over things that have already happened. There is no going backwards or back in time—it is quite literally impossible. Forge ahead. You can never know the road not taken.
2) Money is good for so many things, but it is not the end all be all. Be content, always.
3) Everything good will come. We don't know that this is exactly the case. Believe it anyway.
4) Have faith. Have hope. Now, you may (probably will) lose your faith sometimes, but fight tirelessly and ferociously against losing hope.
5) One of the most important things to know is that human beings have an unbelievable capacity to adapt and to survive. At first, I thought it took faith to believe this, then I realized it is so...matter of fact. It just is.
6) Take some time to quiet the noise. I wish I did that more often this year. Just be still. How simple, yet, how difficult.
7) Anger is not always the big bad devil it is made out to be. Sometimes, it tells us a lot and can be quite the compass. What are you angry about at this moment? Take a moment to think about it. How can it propel you into a life that you want or that makes your immediate community/society a better place? Anger towards God is also not as unusual as you may think. I haven't quite figured out what to do with this one nor am I even sure it is valid. But it happens. Don't be too afraid of it.
"If it had not been the Lord who was on our side," [Psalms 124:1] 2022 would have engulfed us. And of course, trying as it was in so many respects, a lot of good happened in it.
Bring it on 2023! Sometimes my faith will waver, but my hope is forever anchored in Christ Jesus.
Love, and a Happy New Year to you all.
I
Number 1 was def written to drag me! 😂😂 it’s been terrible this past couple of days but we move. Forge ahead. Need these reminders for beyond truly! Have a Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteAish
Hahaha I know re number 1. Aren't we all like that? Happy New Year! Thank you so much for alway reading and supporting this blog :-) Always such a pleasure to read your comments.
Delete