Be True To Yourself
“Every year you make a resolution to change yourself. This year, make a resolution to be yourself.” ~ Unknown
It’s a tradition for many to make a resolution at the beginning of each year. The goals can range anywhere from losing weight to eating healthier to eliminating debt. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to improve your life, but sometimes our goals are influenced by the judgment & insecurities of others. The pressure to conform leads many to set goals that go against who they are as a person. As I’ve written before, the world is always forcing their unsolicited opinions upon us. And if we’re not careful, the result could be the betrayal of our own souls. For this reason, we must conjure up the intestinal fortitude to march to the beat of our own drums. If you’re going to be true to anyone…be true to yourself.
“We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives … not looking for flaws but for potential.” ~ Ellen Goodman
Scrutinizing our lives isn’t just a January 1st practice. We tend to do this all year round. We place so much emphasis on the negative aspects of our being that we overlook the good. Instead of focusing primarily on what you feel you need to change about yourself, explore your potential as well. There are so many gifts within you waiting to be discovered. Gifts that could potentially change the course of your life. You owe it to yourself to find out what you’re capable of. There’s nothing preventing you from becoming all you’re designed to be. Your love for food could potentially transfer into a gift for cooking. A talent for painting could be hiding behind your love for art. Instead of simply admiring the work of others, make the effort to find out if that same ability lies within you. Don’t just be a spectator in life. Make it a life goal to be a participator in the things that bring you joy.
“What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.” ~ Vern McLellan
I’ve heard & read that life will test you to see if you’ve learned the lessons it’s trying to teach you. The more you fail the more the cycle repeats. Failure to learn these lessons often results in stagnation. It also results in the carrying forward of negative patterns of behavior. The new year becomes a mirror image of the previous year. You know when something exists in your life that needs to be released. I’ve been guilty of carrying crutches that once held me up during dark moments into new seasons where they were no longer needed. The problem with crutches is when you use them too long your muscles begin to atrophy. These weakened muscles make it more difficult to walk into the beautiful future that awaits you. Let go of what no longer aligns with where you are & where you’re going. Not everything & everyone are meant to be a part of the life God has in store for you.
“The most important thing to remember is this: To be ready at any moment to give up what you are for what you might become.”
~ W.E.B. Du Bois
As the saying goes, if you want to make God laugh tell Him your plans. You never know where life is going to take you. Many of the best intentions have fallen by the wayside…only for something even more beautiful to present itself. For this reason, you must keep an open heart & mind. Leaving yourself open makes room for the miraculous to occur. Setting goals is great, but always keep in mind that things never work out exactly the way you picture it in your mind. What you have in mind will pale in comparison to what God has in store for you. Keep pushing forward towards your heart’s desires but be sure to leave room for unexpected blessings. I pray you have a Happy, Blessed, and Prosperous New Year!!
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