I have never been on for New Year’s resolutions. It just seems like another thing to make me feel like I have “failed” when I don’t get to the gym 5 times per week or when I go back to eating cookies for breakfast. I do — however – view the turning of the calendar year as a wonderful opportunity to reflect and aspire.
I reflect on the events of the passing year – but most importantly I evaluate my response and attitude. Did I handle them with Grace or awkwardness? Kindness or animosity? As a supporter or antagonist? Did I grow from the experience or drown it its wake? But most of all, did I leave the world better than I found it?
I also use the New Year to dream about possibilities and aspire to be better. It’s exciting and comforting. The pasty 12 months have been filled huge life changes – in every category. Most of the changes felt like the proverbial rug being pulled out from under me and others like a 2×4 to the side of the head. But all of them seemed to have a silver lining – of some sort.
As I look back on the themes of 2009 – “friends” seem to sum it up best. It has been a year of making new friends and reconnecting with old ones. It has been about leaning on them for support and holding them up in the most difficult of times. It has been about noticing the very special things in each person and aspiring to learn from their example. Remarkable people surround me. I am in awe of their humanity, generosity, integrity, and honesty – especially when the world seems to missing all those things. I am grateful for their energy, passion and drive – even when they are forced to run on faith alone. I am humbled by their accomplishments and inspired by their actions.
So, as you summon out the old and ring in the new, take the time to soak in the community of people who surround you – both physically and spiritually. How can you learn from their example to better serve the community in which we live – both locally and globally? How can you better care for the people you love and for yourself? It can be a wonderful way to “resolve” to make 2010 a fabulous year.
