- Many people look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits. ~Author Unknown
What do you think this quote means? I’m not positive. Perhaps the author meant that we look forward to the New Year to make resolutions just so we can break them? That’s my most educated guess, so I’m going to go with it. ~smile~
I’ve been guilty of making resolutions that either don’t last or never start. Most years, I don’t make resolutions at all because I’m aware of my track record. If you’ve made New Year’s resolutions this year, I would recommend that you write them down, along with a plan, and share the plan with a few of your closest friends. Resolutions which are just nice ideas are seldom kept. Ask your sweetheart to cheer you on as you attempt to make changes in your life. If he or she refuses, take note of that.
In your lifetime you will need a lot of encouragement. If the guy or girl you are dating is not willing to help you now, that’s probably a sign of what’s to come. It’s important to marry someone who will support you, and someone you can support. Not everyone encourages the same way, so learn to appreciate the ways he or she shows support, and gently let them know what motivates you (e.g., hugs, encouraging words, strong verbal pushes, etc.).
- Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbours, and let every New-Year find you a better man. ~Quoted in Benjamin Franklin’s 1755 Poor Richard’s Almanac, December
I love this quote! It’s a small reminder to be at war with those aspects of your life that are bringing you down, and not with friends, family, and neighbors. Spend your energy changing your bad habits instead of being at odds with other people. Your time with them is short and fighting is not worth losing precious moments.
As believers, each year we should find ourselves deeper in love with Christ, stronger in our knowledge of His word, more righteous in how we life, and more wise having lived through another year. This is my hope for every new year. So when you find yourself at odds with your sweetheart, determine that you are going to spend your energy changing yourself instead of trying to change him or her; and, focus on growing daily in knowledge, wisdom, and relationships. To grow wiser by the year you must grow wiser by the day.
- New Year’s Day is every man’s birthday. ~Charles Lamb
Your birthday is the start of a new year for you. New Year’s Day is the start of a new year for everyone. Use both opportunities to renew your hope in the future and to make necessary changes in your life.
- Never tell your resolution beforehand, or it’s twice as onerous a duty. ~John Selden
Isn’t this the truth!? It seems like as soon as I declare that I’m going to lose weight, someone makes me my three favorite desserts. When I say that I’m going to walk three miles a day come rain, sleet, or snow, here comes rain, sleet, and snow! When I say I’m going to write a certain number of pages each day, something happens that gets me sidetracked and I end up writing less! Something about keeping a resolution a secret makes it seem less daunting because no one is expecting anything from you. There isn’t any pressure to fulfill your resolution because no one knows about it!
But if no one knows, no one is there to help you on week two when you start losing steam. Think your resolutions through before declaring them. Have them written out with a detailed plan for completing them, and then only declare them to a few close friends.
- An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. ~Bill Vaughan
How many of us know someone like this? No matter how good life is they can always find something wrong with it. Have you ever been that person? I’m not proud of it, but I’ve had a few seasons in my life where I let my sour attitude reign supreme. Looking back now I see that it profited me nothing, and it was a joy killer to those around me.
Eric would come home from work in a good mood and then there I would be, ready to spew my frustrations about life in his direction. I’m so thankful he loved me through it, and I’m happy that I’m now living on the other side of that bridge! If you have a tendency to bring others down with your negativity, make an effort this year to rework your attitude. Find out what isn’t working in your life and take the initiate to revamp it. Focus on the good in your life and spend time with others who encourage you towards Godliness and positivity! Believe me; your good attitude will bless your future marriage (or current marriage) more than you could ever know!
What hopes do you have for this new year? What are you doing to help them come true?