It is that time of year. Time to reflect on the past, and plan for the future. Should that be done once a year? Surely, a new year dawning has some significance, right? It definitely feels that way, but is that a product of our communal conditioning?
I do not see anything wrong with setting goals, but we all should always be seeking to improve ourselves, not just at the turn of a new year.
I have also learned that one needs to find a balance when looking back. I have let the past consume and control me. No more. We must learn from our mistakes, but this should be a quick lesson learned in real time. You mess up. You rectify. You then do your best to not make the same mistake in the future. You do not allow that mistake to haunt you. You move on.
We can plan for the future, but history has taught us that the future is never guaranteed. We should not fret too much about the future. We can do what we can to prepare, but we also must remain flexible to whatever life deals us.
We can control the present. The present is always changing, yet it is the one thing we can react to. The past is gone. The future is unknown. The present, however, can be managed.
We may be making 'New Year's Resolutions', which is not bad in itself, but how can we actually keep to them? Some of you may be jaded against them, and have therefore decided to not make any goals for the upcoming year. I believe we all would like to improve ourselves though, whether we make a conscious effort, or not.
I have always tried to set yearly goals for myself, but have never taken them as far as I should. Like most, I would do well for a little while, and then the importance of those goals would fall to the wayside. This does not mean we should give up!
Once again, I made goals for the upcoming year. This time around; I have a different perspective.
This last year has been quite the ride personally, as you all have read about. It has been a deconstructive year for me. There has been pain, and there has been healing. There have been many periods of wandering and questioning. I am still wandering, and still questioning, but my hope is that this next year will bring some answers. I hope to further find myself, while working to improve myself.
I look to 2017 as a year of reconstruction, a year of completion in many areas of my life.
I am starting a new job at the turn of the year, and hope to also start my career by the end of the year.
I will make a more valiant effort than ever to finish my first book, and perhaps get published.
Who knows, maybe Beth and I will even be expecting this year!
To reconstruct, I must learn self-control and discipline. These are areas I have always struggled with, but I have hope.
Let us all, together, live in every present moment. Be present with those around you, because it could be your last moment together. Set aside the past. Forgive. As each moment dawns, let us try our best to be wise, and make the right decisions. If we fail, learn and move on. Let us not let failures define who we are any longer.