New Beginnings Are Not Just for January 1st
Each year at the end of one year, we get the message that somehow January 1st is going to hold the magic key to a new beginning.
While I absolutely embrace the idea that each day we should start with intention. Each day we can view as a time that we might choose to take on larger or longer term goals. I reject the tone that seems to come across with these new year’s = new start messages. The tone I have sensed all too often is one that basically encourages us to make a list of all the areas we are falling short in and set new goals to “be different.” The implied message is that you are not good as you are.
So, while I do encourage us to all be willing to embrace new beginnings, I want to do so with two important differences.
- Desire for change does not have to mean we reject ourselves.
- Change can happen or start anytime, not just January 1st, so don’t put artificial pressure on yourself to fit this timetable.
Desire for change does not have to mean we reject ourselves.
Since you are reading this post, I imagine there is an area of your life that you would like to see some changes in. It might be in your marriage, in other relationships, in your devotion to Christ, in your weight, or even in the way you organize your pantry. I’ll say again desire for change does not have to mean we reject ourselves. It is even ok to realize the change is based on some thing or things that are not working for you, again without rejecting ourselves. I know this may seem nuanced and to a certain extent it is. But I think it is an important distinction. That is to realize that we are not bad, simply because we are doing some things that are not working. Did you catch that, I am basically encouraging you to separate your who from your do to a certain extent.
May I make a suggestion? Well since this is my post, I’m going to go ahead and do so. What if you looked at a desired change from the perspective that the mere fact that you want the change illustrates you are for yourself, not against yourself? What if you said I’m going to choose different ways of eating because I love myself that much, instead of I need to eat differently because I’m fat? Doesn’t the feel different?
This is something I am just now learning and exploring and trying to put into practice. It is part of how I am trying to be more present to myself.
Change can happen or start anytime, not just January 1st, so don’t put artificial pressure on yourself to fit this timetable.
Now I’d like to transition into the discussion of timing of changes. I see far too often where I and others put off a change they are prompted to make simply because it is not January 1st, or Monday or whatever. I also see pressure to come up with changes and start them on January 1st. But what if you hear about something on a random Tuesday in October that just lights your heart up – are you supposed to wait. I far too often go into analysis paralysis in these times. I want to encourage us to be more flexible in our timings. I also want us to feel free to skip the pressure to come up with something for January 1st. It’s a day, just as good as any. If you are feeling prompted to make a change then, great. If you are not, I am giving you permission not to take the bait, there is no need to manufacture the change.