December 31, 2023
What does it really mean, to say “Happy New Year” to those we encounter as the year comes to an end?
Because once the calendar page is turned, we don’t say it anymore.
Happy New Year
We have all been doing it. Saying “Happy New Year.” Folks will shout it out tonight. There will be parties. People will socialize and celebrate. With great excitement they will behave as if everything will be different when we wake up tomorrow.
Maybe you will, too.
And then you’ll sleep, and wake up.
And you’ll feel it. The sheepish moment when you look around and see it.
Just another day.
Nothing new. It isn’t what you thought. Feels exactly like yesterday. Like last year. Same job. Same house. Same routines. Same bills to pay. It’s just another day. Unless…
Unless you treat it as new.
It Is New.
Sure, it is.
Every day is new, every week, every month, every year. Because it’s the first time we had that exact one, right?
So then the question is there, swirling like a fog around our feet.
What will be new?
Not those playful dreams that entice us to “run away” from our life — a tropical island, a fancier house, bigger car, etc..
It’s not the best solution. That would just change our complaints, right?
And there’s more. You probably won’t have the winning lottery ticket. And those people who stress you, they need you. You need them, too.
The days are still 24 hours. Which can be too long or too short, depending on your circumstances.
None of that will be new on January first, will it?
What about you? What will be new?
- Your outlook?
- Your attitude?
- Your hope?
Maybe all those are the same…
But it is the place where “new” happens.
Not “a” place. “The” place.
Nothing can be new about your life unless you begin in your thought life.
So friends, it’s all on you, and on me. The “new” thing.
Become A Bystander
There’s a show we watch where at times the main character reviews a previous scene.
The scene appears as a still, and then (through amazing camera work) the character enters the scene. She walks around, looks at her “still self” and the other people. She looks at the details in the room.
And she can see what she didn’t see before. She can see what’s bugging her about that encounter. She can see what doesn’t fit, and what should be different.
She scrutinizes and finds out what is needed. Then she takes action.
Maybe we need to do that. Step back and review our past scenes as we contemplate that exciting, different, happy new year that arrives in mere hours.
And maybe we do that more often than every December 31st. Maybe we invest in our outlook, attitude, and hope.
Happy New Day!
What if every night we smiled and shouted, “Happy New Day” before pulling up the covers?
Would it be like The Waltons? 😄
“Happy New Day, John-Boy! Happy New Day, Mary-Elizabeth!”
It certainly seems more substantial than “Good night,” doesn’t it? The longer-lasting version?
Here’s all I’m saying…
Sometimes we just need to be sure our traditions make sense, or that they have a purpose — a good one.
I absolutely want you to have a happy new year. But also a happy new day, every single day. And those around you, too.
Not just happy, but purposeful and good.
How are we gonna do that?
Maybe lifting our thoughts to the bigger picture.
Maybe resolving to eliminate a bad habit, or to start a good one.
Maybe your spiritual life needs some attention.
Ready to start regular Bible reading?
You can do it right on your phone! (I know, right?)
Check out the FREE app, YouVersion. There’s a lot to do there.
The whole idea here at GFP is Better.
Make things better.
It’s not about fixing. Because we can’t always fix.
It’s about caring. Because we can always care.
I do.
Thanks for looking at this with me.
If you really are struggling with the whole idea of resolutions, mission, etc., take January to really reflect. And you can look at this post: The Cold Hard Truth About New Years Resolutions if you decide to think a little deeper about how to decide what really matters.
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-Grammye
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