For as long as I can remember, on New Year’s Eve, I’d spend a good hour or so painstakingly compiling a long, arbitrary list of things I wanted to change in my life, titled as none other than: “New Year’s Resolutions.”

And then, sure enough (like many folks, I suppose) found my good intentions giving way to old habits.

Whether it’s the crescendo, the pressure of building up for these monumental changes that’s just a little intimidating, or the human tendency to procrastinate that gets in our way, I now wonder: might success be easier than we think possible?

It is funny how we humans operate. Once we get stuck, it’s really hard to get out of old habits or modes of thinking. One thing I need to resist this year is falling into the trying-too-hard trap (a post for another day!).

So, this year, I’m taking a lesson from my pre-Christmas attitude. A different approach, you might say. Instead of my usual pre-Christmas frenzy, focused on getting everything done and done like something out of a Hallmark movie (and the frustrations that ensued when reality fell short of that expected perfection), this year, my goal was staying focused on the true meaning of Christmas. I started by delving into my faith and really learning how Advent is supposed to work, and the beauty that naturally unfolds when we do our part and allow grace to fill in the gaps. I can tell you firsthand that during this time, precarious and sometimes utterly mind-blowing life situations deeply threatened my resolve and peace of mind, but God’s grace and my determination to stay focused on Him made all the difference.

What is your focus? You may wish to try this Pick Your Word (to focus on), which my sister sent me this year. Ironically, she didn’t even know I was writing this!! But as a friend of mine once taught me and I’ve held onto these words ever since: “There are no coincidences in life; just God- incidences.”

I’m finding that concentrating on something beyond myself vs mere self-reliance is why I’ve been failing all the years I’ve tried so hard to make changes, but to no avail. 

Plus, accepting that failing is part of living life–that it sometimes happens, and it’s not only okay, but it’s humbling. I’ve also learned that failing becomes the seeds for real personal growth.

When I think back, the times when I’ve gotten the most overwhelmed or felt the most “stuck” have been linked to my tendency toward beating myself up over my past mistakes, instead of choosing self-acceptance, and making better choices, moving forward.

With this in mind, I’d like to share this sentiment for the new year (also that my sister forwarded to me!!), which appeals to my kitschy advertising nature, but also says something about the notion of keeping focused on what matters most, rather than setting an arbitrary list of rules to follow and subsequent guilt to harbor when my intentions haven’t gone as planned:

“Welcome to Flight #2024. We are prepared to take off into the New Year. Please make sure your Attitude and Blessings are secured and locked in an upright position. All self-destructive devices should be turned off at this time. All negativity, hurt and discouragement should be put away. Should we lose Altitude under pressure, during the flight, reach up and pull down a Prayer. Prayers will automatically be activated by Faith. Once your Faith is activated you can assist other passengers. There will be NO BAGGAGE allowed on this flight. The Captain (GOD) has cleared us for takeoff. Destination: PEACE AND JOY.”–Source Unknown

Do you have a favorite verse or mantra that gets you through that you’d like to share? I’d love to hear your thoughts and intentions for 2024!!