Out With the Old and In With the New!

New Year’s Day is nearly here and offers the promise of great things to come.  What are your plans to reenergize for the New Year?

Here are three actions critical to a promising new beginning.

1. Reflect

Many people will push right into the New Year with no respect or consideration for the last 365 days. No doubt, victories were had, mistakes were made, relationships came and went and, most importantly, lessons were learned. Take time to consciously reflect upon the major incidents of 2018. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What did I do to most contribute to my successes?
• What did I do to most contribute to my failures?
• What would I do differently given the same set of circumstances?
• Who were the people worthy of my time and effort?
• With whom did I spend time where I received no value?
• What will I most fondly remember about 2018?
• For what will I be rightly proud?

2. Repent

Nobody is perfect. Most try their best to be useful, pleasant and to contribute in a positive way. But we are all human beings, and with humanity come failings, flaws, selfishness, greed and discontent. The New Year is a time to recognize our shortcomings and acknowledge our own accountability in the parts of our experience that leave us unsatisfied and unkind to those around us. Ask yourself the following questions and take appropriate action.