My 2014 started quite similar to many Sydney-siders (Australia) - an array of fireworks on the harbour, loud music and amazing friends to celebrate the year that was. Post celebrations and weary eyes needing sleep – I found the inevitable flood of Facebook status posts typically with one of the following:
"Lose weight", "get organised" and/or "spend less/save more" - according to the University of Scranton. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 01.01.14 these were the top New Year's Resolutions of 2014.
It was at this moment that I had the thought …
One date change and people seem to think that their history has been wiped clean and dreams are allowed to be revived.
But what if…
The renewed passion, zeal and hope that millions feel on 1 January each year, could be attitude we take on a daily basis!
"Each new day tells more of the story, and each night reveals more and more about God's power." Psalm 19 verse 9 (ESV)
So following the psalmist, I have personally decided that in 2014 I am no longer setting New Year resolutions (that I'll probably fail at anyways like 92% of people*) but choosing to live the dream daily by renewing my attitude to see each day as a blank page where history will be written.
In Lamentation 3 verses 22 – 24 (NIV) it says, "because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him".
And Zepaniah 3 verse 5 (NIV) it says, "The Lord within her is righteous, he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses justice, and every new day he does not fail, yet the unrighteous know no shame."
Again, if the God of heaven can renew his justice and compassion daily, who then am I to not try to do so as well – whether it is facing my relationships with renewed compassion daily, facing my workplace with renewed zeal and passion daily or whether I would face life with renewed hope in humanity daily!
Really there is no option
In saying this, I know I am being a true optimist in every sense of the word and that there will be challenging days ahead where mentally, physically and emotionally I will feel like I cannot do this. The alternative however is not an option.
I recently watched The Secret life of Walter Mitty, where (without giving too much away if you haven't watched it) the key quote throughout the movie is "To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other and to feel. That is the purpose of life." The main character in the movie led a very ordinary, somewhat boring and repetitive life, going through the motions where he could only daydream of the 'what-if' moments.
Perhaps the movie took some creative license on an average life, but without approaching each day with purpose it can (and often does) lead to a stagnant life in reality.
So in 2014 – I am going to do my very best (and that's all life really can ask for) in walking out Mother Theresa's famous words:
Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We only have today. Let us begin.
Meenal Chandra is a Sydney based writer who is choosing to live the dream, daily.
Meenal Chandra's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/meenal-chandra.html