i love when the new year comes around, because i love reviewing what i have done with the previous year and how i’ve spent my time, so that i can refocus, realign, and rededicate my life for the months ahead. this year, i have numerous things i am working towards – improving my relationship with the lord by praying more consistently than i have been (among other things), continuing training for my marathon, finishing up another semester or two at school before possibly changing focus there, developing upon my talents more – particularly in the arts and linguistics … as well as a few more private goals.
i know i can achieve anything with the lord’s help, but i am not concerned with perfection in any of these goals. in the scriptures we are commanded to be perfect, but i knowing that i am human and that my only chance at perfection is through the grace of christ, i just want to do my very best. i will do as much as i am capable of doing, one day at a time. i just want to be a better person than i was yesterday, and to strive to do the lord’s will before my own.
i like fresh starts – starting over, or starting something new, are each very appropriate throughout our daily lives. however, new years’ resolutions are often (though not always) disappointing, because people really should be making goals more than just once each year … and too frequently, goals set at new years are the ones people fail at the most because they fail to make a plan on how to achieve those goals.
i am the first to admit that motivation is not easy to come by, and sometimes the thought of a new year can result in people realizing that they left so many things unsaid or unfinished over the last twelve months … regret can creep in during those reflections, and a burst of renewed motivation stemming from that regret comes forth. it’s just that in nearly every case, it’s not enough for change to happen.
i’ve had numerous things motivating me over the past several years – and in all honesty, regret has been one driving factor amidst them all – but more recently, i’ve narrowed things down to the bare bones of what i feel i need in life, and what the lord wants for me. i love people – really, loving and serving others are among my greatest talents. that’s what drives me in life. i want to live a life of sincere service to both my fellow man and to my creator.
i do believe that each person is greatly influenced by their level of self-discipline and the genuine desires of their heart. where a person may be lacking – and aren’t we all lacking in some way? we’re human – can be remedied by trusting in a power and a wisdom that exceeds that of his or her own, and allowing that power and wisdom to take precedence over our personal will. this does not excuse us from putting forth effort or working for a desire goal. everything in life is work on some level. the ultimate goal out of everything you plan for should be joy. you deserve to be happy – everyone deserves joy. as much as reality dictates that no single life will be pure bliss the entire time, i can tell you that our choosing of one paradigm over another makes all the difference. furthermore, a willingness to be obedient to the lord’s will has the greatest impact. president thomas s. monson once said:
there is no need for you or me in this enlightened age, when the fulness of the gospel has been restored, to sail uncharted seas or travel unmarked roads in search of a ‘fountain of truth.’ for a living heavenly father has plotted our course and provided an unfailing map—obedience.
this is essential – it is part and parcel alongside humility, gratitude, optimism, desiring to learn continuously – i mention these things a lot because they are important to our progression in this life, in working towards the joy that god intends for us.
it’s time for a little more joy, my friends – let me rephrase that: it’s time to love life. every minute. and in the process, get a few things done. to be mindful, to be obedient. there is so much potential in any given day, we just have to seek out the opportunities placed before us and make choices with the lord’s guidance.
