New Beginnings

All of us experience new beginnings throughout our lives, but those beginnings are not all the same. Some of those beginnings might include starting school, passing our driver’s test, going to college, moving to a new town, starting a new job, getting married, having children, losing our job, moving far away from our family and friends, and/or losing someone we love. Each of these qualifies as a new beginning and whether or not we’ve experienced them, we know that some beginnings are exciting while others are downright terrifying. Many are filled with promise, but also uncertainty. Change is not easy. We wonder if we are going down the right path. Will it lead us where we want to go?

Now, we find ourselves at another new beginning – the start of another year. 2016 lies in front of us with such promise and hope. We plan to start anew, start fresh in our lives. For many of us, it is a time of optimism and opportunity – one which we look forward to every year. It’s a time where we look ahead to all that is possible – to all we hope to achieve. A new year means a blank slate where we can write the next chapter in the story of our lives.

Yet, as we excitedly look ahead, we need to also take the time to reflect on where we’ve been. What have we learned, what have we achieved, what have we given freely with no expectation of return? We are grateful for all that we’ve been given, but also contemplate the challenges we have faced and what they have taught us. Sometimes reflection can cause us to regret the past and the choices we have made. This regret often fills us with guilt and shame. So perhaps instead of regretting our actions, we can choose to learn from them. Our mistakes are often our best teachers – ones from which we can learn our most valuable life lessons. The wisdom we gain from our mistakes can teach us how to live our lives more fully. We move forward, forging new ground, growing, and becoming the people we were made to be.

Traditionally, at the start of a new year, people make resolutions that will help them improve their lives. Many people make resolutions such as losing weight or drinking more water (which are fine resolutions to make). But maybe this year instead of making resolutions that change the way you act, make resolutions that change the way you think. It could be as simple as saying positive affirmations every day, such as “Live each day more fully than the last,” “Cherish the little things,” or “Be grateful for everything that you’ve been given.” If you live out those mantras daily, big changes can happen in your life. You will notice a difference in how you feel and how you live.

As you look ahead toward 2016 with all of its possibilities, will you choose to change the way you think? Will you be present in every moment? Will you cherish those quiet walks in the woods? May this New Year help you become the person that you have always wanted to be. New beginnings can be an exciting time for growth and renewal. Whether you are buying a new home, starting retirement, or merely beginning a New Year, it is a time of hope and uncertainty. So, embrace the change and move forward knowing you are on the right path. Even if it feels terrifying, keep forging new ground. Don’t give up and may 2016 be a promising and fulfilling year where all things are truly possible.