Watching the parade on TV while contemplating goals.
It seemed at times as if 2008 would never end. With the second year of an extended presidential campaign and the recession that was not a recession until the country had been in it for a year. But the year has come to an end and it is time to look forward to a year of new beginnings. True, more endings will come but they will also lead to new beginnings. A time of adjustment from a national economy to a global economy.
I have been going through things I want to accomplish this year. As well as things I would rather not do this year – in contrast to years past. Running through my goals for the year. I hesitate to call them New Year’s resolutions. Making resolutions never seems to work. Resolutions only serve to cause frustration, disappointment, and annoyance when they fail to take root.
New Year’s Day conjures up visions of fresh starts, new chances, new beginnings. A time in which it is possible to “start over” on one level or another. When the events of last year become relegated to the past and are not a part of the new beginning. Whether the promises of the new year are fulfilled or not is beside the point. It is the endless possibility of new opportunities and experiences that provides the sense of excitement. Along with saying good-bye to those events and experiences that are being relegated to the past.
Most of my goals or resolutions are recycled goals from the year before. Or they are to surpass the previous goals. As a writer and lay speaker, my goals/resolutions are fairly predictable – to write more, be published more, and fulfill more of my duties as lay speaker. Consequently, I do not consciously think about resolutions on New Year’s Day except to consider the fact that people make them each year.
However, on New Year’s Day I do consider changes that I would like make during the year. As well as pondering the events of the previous year. And loosely setting some goals. Goals leave me with some flexibility. I can alter the way I reach the goals, depending on circumstances. Resolutions do not allow flexibility – you either keep them or break them.
Along with reflection and anticipation, I pray for the coming year and the events that will unfold. While thanking God for watching over us during the past year. May God watch over us globally, helping us to accept new changes and celebrate good fortune, and supporting us when we need his guiding hand following unfortunate times. May God watch over all of you in the year ahead of us.
Peace be with you.
Tags: campaign, Christianity, faith, goals, God, lay speaker, New Year, parade, prayer, Religion, resolutions, writer
