A Clean Slate

Introduction:

Welcome my friend,

It really feels good to be back here with you for the first time this new year.

To be honest, the holidays came handy, allowing us the time to unwind, rest, refresh and prepare to go again with a calmer mind and clarity of purpose.

It also allowed us to reassess our decisions, actions, or goals, so that we can redirect our approach where necessary; especially as it concerns those things that didn't work out as well as we would have wanted.

This, then, is why we can say that we've arrived this new year on a clean slate, as we look to adapt a more workable approach to doing things, thus, replacing old methods in the process.

Discussion: 

In recent years, the term “new year resolution” has become ridiculed as a notorious term used by those who are hardly serious with making any sustained changes to their lives.

From observation, this is largely because most folks fail to continue with their resolutions after the first few weeks, instead slumping back to their old habits.

This is probably from wearing out, after all that initial fire and motivation to go all in, eventually dies out.

Then there are those who mock the resolutions because they feel one shouldn't necessarily wait until the end of the year to change their lives or ditch those things they're certain are bad for them.

For sure, this is also a valid point.

However, regardless of how we see it, the “new year resolution” isn't entirely a bad idea considering the mental and psychological benefits of allowing oneself the chance to start afresh.

To put aside the exhausting thought of coming out short the past year, and replacing it with the excitement of having another opportunity to try again.

This is why while many may downplay the new year as basically moving from one day to another, those of us who approach it with the mindset of new beginnings find it to be somewhat refreshing.

■ Examining Old Methods 

When we say “new year, new me” it can be an indictment that the old me hasn't done enough, otherwise why would we want to change?

However, this isn't something to beat ourselves up about or be ashamed of.

Truth is, many times, for no fault of ours, we can find ourselves in circumstances beyond our control so that we come out short on our goals.

This is normal.

We just have to appreciate ourselves for the will to have tried, before ensuring that we pick up those lessons that we can use to improve things for the future.

This is how we make something good out of our disappointments.

When we only complain and suck at what seems to be our “bad luck” we begin to internalize it that we're maybe unfortunate or undeserving of success or good things.

This is wrong and limiting, because we'd continue to approach our opportunities with self doubt, never really giving them our best shot, since we have no expectations of anything good coming out of them.

Therefore in order to succeed, we need to be optimistic and enthusiastic, having such confidence that we have what it takes to come out of tight situations even better than how we got into them.

■ A New Approach 

Sometimes we also come short due to our own failings and when this happens, it's a call for accountability and responsibility.

We all know those habits, people and environment that'll get us closer to our goals and those that don't.

This is where discipline comes in.

The most rewarding thing to do and the most difficult one is usually the same but we do it anyway because we have our eyes on the price.

When we understand that nothing good comes easy we begin to approach life with the mindset of endurance and perseverance, readily prepared to push through until we succeed.

Nothing is given freely and those who want it more show themselves deserving of it by actually doing the work it takes.

■ The Trap Of Good Planning 

For those of us who are intentional and meticulous, we already have our new year planned out.

We have our to do list and when to do each one to maximum effect.

This is good and commendable as proper planning can help us achieve good results, making use of our time wisely.

However, this alone doesn't guarantee success, else many before us wouldn't have failed.

As humans, we have our own limitations and despite all our good planning and best intentions things can go wrong leaving us questioning our abilities.

Then we realize that we're not sufficient by ourselves because God has created us to be totally dependent on Him.

This is the trap smart people fall into because they can't understand why they still need God despite everything they can do by themselves.

Yet when we think deeply about it, we realize that the source of all those abilities is God, since we didn't create ourselves.

Which then, is why we must make him the center of our plans this year if we're going to see improved results.

■ The X Factor

When we plan according to God's will for our lives we're already bound to succeed.

This is the X factor.

God created us to bring glory to His name, using our talents and abilities to meet the needs of those around us.

When we do this, He blesses us, giving us the satisfaction and fulfillment of being part of a course bigger than ourselves.

God places in our hearts the spirit of discernment, aligning our desires to what He already wants to do for us, so that once we obey, every other good thing comes to us without struggle or striving.

This is how we walk through life with confidence having put our trust in Him with our show of obedience, and consequently leaving all the repercussions of that to Him.

Which means that faith therefore, is a strong conviction to move in the direction of our purpose, knowing fully well that we can count on God.

Summary:

Happy New Year my friend, I hope you enjoyed your holidays.

Thanks for returning back here this year to continue to be a part of this journey of growth and self development, inspired by one word at a time.

If we walked last year, now we're going to fly and I'm glad that you're here for it.

See you next week.

Master Apprentice.

www.x.com/truekingmaker