Happy New Year! 

Here we are; it’s the first Monday of 2023! We have an entire year full of blank pages: so many experiences, friends to meet, and joys to be shared. Yes, there will be some challenges and times of sadness, but as we write our stories, we have the opportunity to change the plot, to compose a narrative that deviates from the same old thing. We can dream, explore, and creatively form our hopes into new realities. It’s pretty exciting when you think about the potential!

Over the weekend, I spent some time with my big brother and was utterly enthralled by his stories of days gone by. The girls and I, and their boyfriends, listened while Uncle told stories of his service in the military, amusing anecdotes about family and friends, and embarrassing childhood moments. (Funny how we remember things differently. Lol!) We talked about traditions we missed and those we still try to engage in, practices passed down from our parents.

My Pop had a different soup for every occasion. On the New Year’s menu was Hoppin’ John, which is funny because neither of our folks haled from the south, where it’s a tradition regarding prosperity. There are, however, some pretty sordid stories about Pop’s younger days and something about rum running. Fortunately for him, no one’s around who can neither confirm or deny his antics. What I found interesting is how my bro’s memory is so excellent and how our own stories have changed since our parents passed on.

That brings me back to the thoughts for today. Are we transporting our old life stories that need to be changed as we move into the future? I’m not talking about enchanting historical stories. Instead, I’m referring to the old, tired mantras that have kept us down and stolen our joy. I’m talking about the defeatist attitudes and toxic, negative self-talk that keeps us in a place of want with unfulfilled dreams, neglected gifts and talents, or a mindset that denies that prospect of happiness. These are narratives that, when faced and rewritten, can improve the quality of our present and future lives.

I found this quote from Alex Morritt, an American travel writer and poet, who spent a significant amount of time in Central America. It seems to capture my thoughts on choices for the new year:

Photo by Leon Contreras. No copyright infringement intended.

The New Year is a new chance for new anything and everything or nothing at all. It’s up to us; we have the capacity to change the trajectory. But, of course, we don’t do this in a void. We have the great blessing of reaching up for Divine intervention. When we tap into our God-given abilities and are faithful to honor the Spirit’s leading, we genuinely are unstoppable. Not always without bumps in the road, but that’s for another day’s inspiration.

One of my favorite verses in Scripture talks about inspiration, writing, and patience. In Habakkuk 2:2-3 we read:

“Then the Lord answered me and said,
‘Write the vision
And engrave it plainly on [clay] tablets
So that the one who reads it will run.
 
‘For the vision is yet for the appointed [future] time
It hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail.
Even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it,
Because it will certainly come; it will not delay.’”

The most impressive part of all of this is that once we have addressed those thoughts that have held us back, we are not only free to create, dream, and hasten to fruition the things that are nearest to our hearts. We are also able to model that success to others. And, as we gain momentum and find strength, we can assist others in writing a new narrative for themselves. Ultimately, the choice is ours!

Let’s support one another early this year in the rewrite and choice phases. The results for 2023 will be astonishing!

Be Well & Be Blessed!

Lucinda