Just like the many ways we celebrate holidays and birthdays, we also start the new year differently. But the mindset of almost everyone is we start over. 

But instead of ‘starting over,’ which would mean throwing out the attempts made in the past year, let’s start where we left off.

Either it is improving our diets, sticking with new habits, being more positive with our words and thoughts, goals to read more books (instead of social media), or even exercising more.

I cannot speak for everyone, but I can speak for myself. I have attempted to improve in each of these areas but without consistency. 

You know the saying: two steps forward and one step back; one step isn’t quickly achieving the goal. But! We are moving forward.

Instead of looking at the past year as a failure, let’s see it as progress. Building on what small changes we have made will only encourage us to make more. Well, it does for me anyhow.

However, there are some things that we do need to forget about, like “family drama.” We all have dysfunction in our lives and have experienced some struggles in our relationships.    

In the Message Translation, Isaiah 43:19 states, ” Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?

Going over old history, I believe, is the main reason family feuds don’t get resolved. We all can learn how to do better in loving one another.

I am not saying we all lay down and be door mats, allowing family to wipe their feet on us. Insight can be found if I honestly look at the situations that have caused ‘drama’ in my family circles. And for me, it generally means I had an opinion that doesn’t line up with my beliefs. Taking responsibility for my attitude releases my mental ‘rehearsing’ the drama, thus allowing honest conversation to grow naturally and bring resolve.  

So, as we step through the door of 2024, let’s take a moment to evaluate what things we need to build off of and what we need to let go of altogether.

Another small text from The Message translation: Colossians 3:2

Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

We want to wish all our family and friends a Happy, Healthy New Year!

Let us all BE Present and Alert!! Great things are ahead.