Pam Dudding Contributing writer
Yes, it is a new year and many things can bombard one’s mind during this time. Do I diet? Do I stop watching so much TV? Do I spend more time with my kids and family? Do I find a new job where I can be happier at? The list gets longer, so you do nothing.
Yes, it’s that time of year again. You can read that as positive or negative, as hopeful or hopeless. It’s all in choice.
Was 2019 a year of challenge for you? This year, as you enter 2020, challenge yourself to a new venture, a new possibility or even a new you.
Step out of the box you may have accepted for your life. Have you compromised in areas of your life? Then choose to change. Don’t ‘bah humbug’ another year away.
Treat yourself to a great year of determination and power. We all know that procrastination is easy, and action can be difficult.
Many years ago, I heard someone say, “Change isn’t change until you change.” I had to stop and ponder.
I came to understand that if we do not change our mindset, our heart won’t change, therefore everything around us cannot change. (Out of the abundance of our hearts, our mouths speak.) In other words, if we choose to change our thinking, then say with our lips exactly what we want and move ourselves into the position of action towards that goal, then change can’t help but happen. You might say, “it’s inevitable.”
Remember, it is said that if you do something for 21 days in a row, your body will adapt it as a habit.
Sadly though, this is why so many people get caught up into drugs, smoking, drinking and wrongful sexual acts. They think that just a little bit won’t hurt, or the “I’ll just do it once,” or that they just have to get “over the hump” of that incident or devastation in life.
Then sadly, months or for some years later they look in the mirror at themselves and see a different person looking back at them. It is then that they are heartbroken at their own reflection.
It’s a new year! Be like Ebenezer Scrooge and ditch the ‘bah humbug’!
Let the real you that was created in you come on out and be seen, felt and celebrated.
Remember, God creates only good things! And, you are one of them.
Here is a quote from Pinterest: “Although no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new beginning.”
Isn’t that what Scrooge did? He saw the benefits of what his heart really wanted and then moved himself into that position and actually pushed himself over the edge of personal victory.
T.S. Elliott wrote: “For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice.” That’s “your” voice.
And, may I add that this year’s words are standing at attention, waiting for your commands.
Why procrastinate? Just imagine how it would feel to do that ‘thing’ you really want to start doing. Picture it in your mind. Cut out pictures and paste them on your refrigerator, bathroom mirror or rear-view mirror of your car. Don’t let yourself get away with waiting another week, month or year.
“The secret to change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” Socrates explained.
How do you start?
- Decide what you want.
- Consider the consequences and the obstacles.
- Take some time, as you may need to revise your plan as you go. The goal is to start a plan. Write it down. Get a notebook specifically for your plan which will become your goals.
- Start a new routine and laugh yourself into it.
- Share your goal with someone you can trust, that will help you to reach it, not give you more excuses to avoid it.
- Stay focused. Don’t allow other people or things to steer you off course.
- Don’t use excuses. That can be a sneaky major downfall for anyone.
- Seek help if you need it. Don’t allow pride to keep you from what you want.
- Be patient. Give yourself a break if you goof up a little. But, don’t be too easy on yourself either. The old saying, ‘no pain no gain’ carries much weight. Sacrifice can be a good thing.
- Celebrate! Give yourself prizes and gifts for achieving the small goals. Don’t wait until the end when you get to the ‘carrot at the end of the stick.’ Still, make sure you do have a party when you accomplish your goal! Even if it’s just with you.
One of my favorite sayings is, “The best is yet to come!” And, one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible is Mark 11: 22-24, “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, cast it into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore,f I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
So, what will you be saying this year? What will you speak into being for 2020? Remember that your words create the atmosphere you enter, whether good or bad. What world are you going to create around you, your family, your friends or your work? Go ahead and go for it! Choose a ‘new’ year for you. I double-dog dare you!