Happy NEW Year

 

Isn’t it funny how your mind can convince you that something intangible is tangible?  What I’m talking about is that I can think myself into accepting it’s a new year for my life, even though in reality that’s just a date we’ve all collectively set on a calendar page.  As a Christian, every day is a new year, a new day for me in the essence of living a life of faith.   I get going along so busy that I fail to remember that each day is a choice. 

I love fresh starts.  I’m the sort of person that does not like to read books twice (besides the Bible) or watch movies more than once.  I always enjoyed the first days of school with a fresh new wardrobe (note: I grew up in a family of 8, 6 boys and my Sister oh so much younger than me, so mostly this meant new girl clothes for me) and new school supplies.  I can still smell the wood shavings as I sharpened my brand new pencils and make the first marks on the snowy white pages of my scribblers. 

So though this is a man-made reminder I am glad for it. I like this quote from C.S. Lewis which blipped on my Twitter feed today:

 

And this from the Bible too:

Lamentations 3:22-24

The Message (MSG)

^22-24God's loyal love couldn't have run out,
   his merciful love couldn't have dried up.
They're created new every morning.
   How great your faithfulness!
I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over).
   He's all I've got left.

 

I don’t make “resolutions” as such but I'm going to take a challenge with my friend Valinda.  We are going to take the “A Complaint Free World” challenge together.  Here’s a short video clip of the premise of it:

 

 

 

I fully agree with the fact I complain too much, that it has become a habit and I’d like to try this and see what a change it might bring along.  I think its really difficult for me to be grateful for everything in my life when I allow complaints to drip off my tongue, often without me even realizing it.

Now, this said, I do not want to turn myself into a Pollyanna and be a fake, and I know this is a fear of my husband’s thinking.  To me its sort of like this:

I’m not happy, I’m cheerful,

There’s a difference.

A happy woman has no cares at all,

A cheerful woman has cares but has

learned how to deal with them. 

~ Beverly Sills

 

And this:

Smile a smile!

While you smile

Another smiles,

And soon there are miles

and miles of smiles,

And life’s worth while

If you but smile.

 

And this:

Let me be a little sweeter -

Make my life a bit completer,

By doing what I should do

Every minute of the day,

Let me toil without complaining,

Not a humble task distaining.

 

I agree in part with what my Mr.’s thinking is – it would be unrealistic to think we could never ever ever complain because in some cases it would be almost impossible, however I believe trying not to complain will make me the better for it.  I think its like the difference between giving criticism or critique – when we criticize it come our own self view of something of someone else’s and simply takes something apart with no regard that there might be a person’s feelings involved.  Critique on the other hand, points out the positives and gives helpful advice and encouragement if needed to improve something. 

Ephesians 4:29

English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁹ Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

James 1:26

English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁶ If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

Psalm 141:3

English Standard Version (ESV)

³ Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;
keep watch over the door of my lips!

So I’m going to “slip on the band” (though for me it might be a piece of thread some days because I don’t like typing with a bracelet on – and other days when I’m wearing something nice it will be a real bracelet) which will remind me when I feel a complaint welling up.  We will see how I do and I’ll try to keep you informed here on how I’m doing. 

What is your “resolution” for the year, or something you might like to change to make 2012 a better you?