A New Year

The ball drops, the fireworks pop, and everyone shouts "Happy New Year!" My kids look at me and say, "What's the big deal?" Good question, I think. Hooray, we've made it through another year? So excited for a fresh start? What is it about the digits in the year changing that makes us want to celebrate? The first week of January friends were complaining how they couldn't find a parking spot at the gym. Commitments to New Years Resolutions abound with quitting this and changing that. Motivated by the date change to find some self-control that was missing all of the other months of the year? It's kind of funny if you think about it. Don't get me wrong, I can appreciate new chapters and fresh starts. I mean whatever it takes to get you moving, changing, doing, growing, learning. I just wonder sometimes why we feel like we have to resolve to change something at the start of each new year?

So, where is my encouragement? I mean that's what I want this blog to be, right? Maybe what I'm getting at is what motivates you? Is it a dissatisfaction with who you are? Is it a desire to be or look different? Is it for your spouse or is it because you're not happy with yourself? Are the changes you are making taking things away or adding things to your life?

In this self-focused world, I wonder what it would be like if the New Years Resolutions people had were to volunteer more, to reach out to someone in need, to party less and have quality time with your family more, to read things that encourage you instead of things that bring you down? What would this world be like if people decided to try to be others-focused instead of self-focused?

I just wonder...