“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder the things of the past” The Prophet Isaiah

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  Jesus

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? 

If so, what are they?

At the start of a new calendar year we stand poised on the precipice balancing between what has been and what might be.  Most of us will probably spend at least a little time pondering the past and anticipating in some form the promise that the future holds.  If you were to make a “top ten” list from this last year, of events both “good” and “bad”, what would it look like?  And as you look into the future, what path do you intend to follow in the interest of attaining personal accomplishments or the ever-elusive pursuit of perfection—or at least happiness? 

I am reticent to make suggestions or give advice for a number of reasons, not the least of which being that I did a LOT of that in my previous life as a pastor—pretending to have answers to the questions that people posed, and either blatantly or subtly telling people how to live and what to do with their lives. But for the sake of this blog, I’ll go ahead and risk it.  Following are three things that I personally have found helpful that you might find beneficial as well.

First is looking back on what has transpired with gratitude not regret.  It’s easy to be thankful for the “blessings” that have taken place in the past.  I can count quite a few, most having to do with family, friends (both old and new), and faith struggles.  It’s more of a challenge to be grateful for the difficulties and disappointments.  I’ve had my share of those as well; the new job hasn’t turned out the way I’d hoped.  To somehow see these “bad” things as being essential in shaping one’s life is a challenge.  I have had frequent conversations recently with people about how that which is unpleasant or even painful may ultimately be most beneficial to one’s well-being.

Second is looking forward to the New Year with the simple resolution to let God lead.  One of the biggest nemeses for people is the need for control.   It is so freeing to let go of control, to open one’s heart, mind, and hands to receive that which God desires to place in our paths.  In my previous life I spent a lot of my life swimming against the tide, going a different direction than the one God was taking me, striving to find a beach of my own choosing.  Now I tend to do a lot of floating, allowing the Spirit to flow over me and submerge me in the waves of God’s grace, sometimes even to the point of feeling like I’m drowning, but knowing that He’s depositing me on destinations of His choosing.  It’s a great way to live.

Finally, to live in The Presence, and the present.  This day, this moment, is all that we have.  It is an opportunity to experience eternity, where there is not such thing as time.  My work with people living with dementia and their care partners taught me how important this is.  “We’ve learned to cherish the sweet moments that come to us each day.” That’s what the wife of a man with younger onset Alzheimer’s told me once.  Here’s the thing, one shouldn’t have to experience dementia in order to appreciate those sweet moments which come to each of us every day in a variety of ways.  Our challenge is to recognize and take hold of them. 

So I guess if I need to make a New Year’s resolution that would be mine: Live fully in those sweet moments of grace in whatever form they may appear, whether “good” or “bad”, and allowing them to provide the portal through which God will further lead me down this path. 

What’s yours?