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A New Start: My New Year’s
Wish
What a Year!
Within a few days it will be goodbye to 2007 and welcome to
2008. However, the events of 2007, good or bad, are likely to linger
in our minds for some time to come. Among the prominent happenings
of the year are the national elections, the escalation of the
homicide rate which broke all previous records, and the traffic
fatality count which at the time of writing had reached 50 –another
record-breaking figure when compared to the previous year. Then
there was the visit of Tropical Storm Noel and its devastation to
homes, automobiles, crops and disruption to the lives of people in
general. Given the aforementioned stressful activities of 2007, it
is good to know that a brand New Year is just “around the corner!”
 Turning a New
Page A brand New Year allows for a fresh start or the
opportunity to correct what we failed to accomplish during the
previous year. It also gives one a chance to move on. Taking an
introspective look, one must ask what must I do differently, or
where do I start? Could I have avoided some ills or situations that
turned out to be disastrous? Was I accountable? Did I give my best
to the job for which I was paid? Did I put in the time or the
quality work? Was I kind and fair? What about spiritual life –has it
been enhanced? Did I accomplish my personal goals pledged to at the
beginning of the year? What about my attitude –has it been positive?
In short –have I grown? However, I need not wait for the New Year,
as I can begin to turn around today or this moment. That decision
resides with me!
Adjusting My
Lifestyle Impatience seems rampant within our society and
certainly on our streets. It was intended that through technology
life would become modernized and easy. No one would deny that the
computer, the internet, the microwave, the dish, the washing machine
and the cellular phone have been most convenient and time saving
inventions. However, this question begs an answer: “Are we truly
benefiting from such inventions?” It would seem that the time saved
has allowed for more activities to be added. We are a stressed
people! No
wonder the road rage and loss of our “cool”!
Have you noticed how
the cellular phone dictates our lives? It rings and we must pick it
up, no matter where we are. It would seem that we will die if we
don’t answer. Don’t make the mistake of leaving home without it,
because life would not be the same. Have you wondered how, just a
few years ago, we got along without the cell phone or the computer
and the internet? To be honest, it wasn’t easy, but we got along and
we survived. Now it would seem that the gadgets are controlling us.
Even God is given the microwave treatment –that is, we throw in a
few minutes for Him, if we have time.
Determine to cut out
some of the unnecessary activities to allow for exercise, quality
time with God, enjoying family meals, family time and worship. Give
greater attention to eating healthy and drinking more water. It is
also important that we pay keener attention to the care of our
environment, since a recent finding revealed that pollution
threatens to destroy some of our livable space.
Trusting God
Those of us who neglect to engage in daily devotion are missing out
a significant part of what it means to enjoy life. While we are
emotional, mental and social beings, we are equally, and maybe more
so, spiritual beings with the capacity for “godness”. Denying
ourselves time with God is tantamount to not living. Christians are
blessed to have a daily lessons coupled with a devotional reading
for each day of the year. These are designed to inspire hope and
give perspective; however, when we neglect daily devotion, we set
ourselves up for despair and failure. Begin to live today!
 Forgiveness
A disposition of forgiveness is a “must” if one is to enjoy
a meaningful and fulfilled life. On the other hand, an unforgiving
spirit tends to sickness and bitterness. I would imagine that every
one of us can recall someone who has hurt us. We feel justifiable in
hating or seeking to even the score. However, we need to let go. To
forgive does not mean that you put up with insult or continued hurt.
However, we can make the choice to let go.
As you think about
the choice you will make, consider this question: Have you ever hurt
someone? If the truth is told, we will all have to admit “yes.” It
is easier and more desirable to reflect on those that hurt us, but
it’s harder to spotlight ourselves and what we do or are doing to
others. We all need forgiveness, and we all need to forgive. Well,
the New Year, or better still today, accords us that opportunity to
make a deliberate effort to get a new start. Let’s try these
things, and hopefully domestic violence, traffic fatality and
unnecessary rage will be reduced. Each of us should say, “Let it
begin with me!”
Have a Happy and
Forgiving New Year!
- Leonard A. Johnson, President
- Bahamas Conference of
Seventh-day Adventists
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