As you move towards a new year, remember the lessons that you’ve learned this year, and the positive changes you will make moving forward. There may come a time when you will need to walk away from all the senseless drama, spiteful criticisms, misguided opinions, and people who create it, and surround yourself with positive people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good.
Love the people who treat you right; forgive and pray for the ones who don’t. Some may put you down, criticize, and lash out at you due to their unhappiness, but don’t take it personal, it has nothing to do with you, it’s all about how they feel inside. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Happiness is not created by external factors, or other people in your life, it’s created by you.
Be careful not to keep holding on to the pain from your past. If you hold an 8 ounce glass of water, you may not notice the weight in your hand initially. If you hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If you hold it for an hour, you’ll have an ache in your arm. If you hold it for a day, your arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer you hold it, the heavier it becomes. Stress, past painful experiences, and worries in life are much like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens, but if you continue to think about them, eventually they begin to hurt until you begin to feel emotionally paralyzed by them.
Stay goal oriented moving forward, and if you do not reach your goal initially, continue to move forward regardless. Keep in mind that falling down and being defeated is temporary; giving up is what makes it permanent. Remember that perseverance is the hard work you continue to do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did. Continue to persevere, and strive for perfection. You’ll never be perfect, but as long as you strive for perfection, you are sure to catch excellence along the way. Remember to treat people with kindness when possible; it’s always possible, even during those challenging times when they may not be kind to you. You do so, not because of the person they are, but because of the person you are. Jesus knew everything Zacchaeus had done, but still loved him and treated him with kindness. It didn’t change Jesus; it changed Zacchaeus. Have a blessed and joyful New Year, and know that you deserve the best. Be good to you.