First Day of a New Year - What Does that Mean?

What does the first day of a New Year mean?  For many it means setting goals, reviewing the past year for changes they want for the coming year, figuring out how this year will be different with setting goals and not keeping them, etc.  The bottom line for most people it means a hope for CHANGE in a better direction.

I have never been one to make goals, vision posters, etc.  I admire those that can do this and make it happen, but it's not what I have found works for me.  I have always hoped for a better year, continue to improve my life by the end of the year, but a whole year goal is too big for me and I know that I will fall down, make mistakes and possibly drop the year long goal (like many within the first 2 weeks).  That just sets me up for defeat, feeling of failure and a possibility at some point of deciding to wait until the next year to set new goals.  

For years I have found myself getting up each day with a renewed energy to make each day better.  If I lost my temper with my children, I make a goal to apologize and strive to be more patient with my children.  I come up with a plan with my children to work together to make things better.  If I want to feel healthier, I think about each thing that I eat and make a conscious decision each time I eat.  I make a decision if I am going to park a few more spots away from the store doors to get a few more steps in.  If I am feeling down, I decide to reach outside of myself and serve someone else or maybe give myself permission to have a down day or maybe just an hour and then do something about it.  If I am overwhelmed, behind on life, my list of things to do is way too long I make a list, delegate, take a look at what isn't important and evaluate each situation.  If I need to improve on going to the temple, saying my prayers, reading my scriptures and the things that should be top priority in my life I put it in my calendar and get a reminder that I need to do it.  It is scheduled into my day so I can make it a priority and remember to do it.      

My true goal for a new year is to take one day at a time.  I know that by the end of the year my life isn't going to be perfect, but I will know that I took one day at a time and did my very best.  My house isn't going to be spotless, I probably won't be to my ideal weight, my children will still have challenges, we will still have bills to pay, there will be things in the gospel that can bring me great happiness that I can do better and the list goes on, but I know that I will have made a CHANGE for the better and enjoyed each day along the way.

          

---