New year resolution
Are you a “new year resolution” person? I am. There is something enticing about starting fresh, turning over a new leaf, and beginning again. It’s liberating to put the past behind me with all the failures, regrets, disappointments of the last year, and start new.
Our family has a new year tradition that we have been doing for years. At the end of the year, we think about something we want to be better at in the new year. It could be a habit we want to break, an obstacle we want to overcome, or something new we aspire to. We find a word that describes what we want to accomplish, and that becomes our word or “name” in the new year.
These names we choose become a guiding vision for the new year. Some of the names chosen by members of my family over the years include diligent, confident, motivated, relentless, steadfast and consistent. The name or word reflects where we are on our journey and takes on special personal meaning. Here’s an example to illustrate. In December of 2015 I had my second back surgery. I had my first back surgery in 2010 and it was one of the most difficult periods of my life health wise. I was in physical therapy for over 2 years before and after the first surgery. I was determined to do everything in my power to stay fit and healthy and could not allow myself to even imagine ever going through that experience again. But in November of 2015, the pain from the ruptured disc in my back was unbearable and the doctors confirmed that a second surgery was unavoidable. Injections and painkillers did nothing to ease the pain. It was excruciating. I was miserable and a little bit angry. How could this be happening...again? Why now? We had already bought tickets for the whole family to travel to Florida for Christmas. I got a great deal on those tickets, and they were nonrefundable. I debated postponing surgery until after the holidays. But in reality there is no way I would make it. Surgery was scheduled for December 10 and I remained hopeful that I would be cleared for travel in time for Christmas. Surgery was successful, but there was no way I could travel. I could barely move around at Christmas. My family spent Christmas in Virginia Beach that year. The nonrefundable tickets to Florida went unused. As the year end approached, it was clear what my name would be for 2016. STRONG. I was determined to regain my physical strength while also working on my emotional and spiritual strength. I wanted to avoid ever having back surgery again, but I also realized that when life throws us curve balls that literally knock us off our feet it helps if we have the emotional and spiritual fortitude to face the challenge with an optimistic and unwavering outlook. In 2016 I worked hard in physical therapy. I also learned yoga, practiced deep breathing exercises, spent time daily in prayer and quiet reflection, read some inspiring books, and I did end the year STRONGer than I started.
In addition to our family naming tradition, I also make personal new year resolutions. Maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise is always on the list. I usually struggle and fall short of my goal. But I keep trying. Maybe 2019 will be the year. In the past few years, I have started the year with 21 days of fasting and prayer. I find that starting the year with good intentions and optimistic goals set the tone for a positive year.
Whatever your personal style or tradition may be, I hope you’ll start the year recognizing that you are special and valuable, and I pray that the end of 2019 will find you satisfied with the choices you’ve made and grateful for the life you lived.
Happy New Year!
