Soon it will be 12 midnight on a new January 1. Thousands, maybe millions of people who have no idea who Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians are will hear the performers’ rendition of “Auld Lang Syne” playing in the background of some sort of indoor or outdoor festivity.
Soon, a new feeling of newness will be in the air as new calendars begin to be used, resolutions are soon forgotten, and people continue to write and type “2022” for the next few weeks.
Happy New Year, everyone!
For the first time since I was perhaps three months old, I’m saying “meh” to the new year.
I’m not setting any goals. I’m not making any resolutions. I’m not making any predictions. I’m not looking forward to anything. I’m not getting my hopes up. I’m not going to worry (well . . .).
2023 is going to be the year of “it is what it is”.
‘Why do you have to be like that?’
We won’t know the full story of 2023 until December 31 of said 2023.
Even for the most pessimistic, 2023 will have its share of blessings, graces, and joys.
It’s probably going to have its share of not-so-lovely things too.
I don’t even want to think about those. I don’t want to think about what might go wrong. Can’t we just all agree that there are going to be some good things and some bad things that happen in 2023?
The good things may be pretty tremendous. They may bring us levels of happiness, joy, and accomplishment that we’ve never felt before.
We may also just feel relaxed and content. After the last couple of years, I’ll take that.
For all the good that will happen in 2023, let’s remember to give thanks in prayer to God.
Now to the bad. Unhappy things are going to happen in the new year. We are going to be sad. We are going to be mad. We can’t avoid this. We do have to persevere and get through it.
When these moments happen, do not feel that you are alone. Other people may be going through the same emotions and life scenarios.
Reach out to these people. Either you’re being called to be there for them or you’re being called to accept their support in your life.
Me being me, I’m also going to remind you (and me) to pray, pray, pray during these times.
No matter how low you or your life is, God has a way through it. It might not feel like a cure-all to eliminate what ails you, but the Almighty will help you through it. Talk to Him. Pray to Him.
As we move forward
Don’t let the promise of challenges stop you, however, from embracing the awe and uncertainty of a new year.
What’s new isn’t always best, but every day is going to be a new journey and exploration.
Many days may feel boring or unaccomplished. Some days may feel like we should have stayed in bed.
Some days, though, will make us feel grateful to be alive.
That’s life. That’s the journey.
When we don’t want to face tomorrow, God is there for us. When we don’t want a day to end, God is also there for us.
If you make no other goal for the year, make the resolution of giving God a more prominent place in your life.
The Divine One is the one part of our lives that will never change or leave us.
2023 is not going to be easy.
2022 sure wasn’t. Neither were its older siblings 2021 and 2020.
Life isn’t easy, but it’s joyful.
Loving God isn’t easy, but it’s rewarding.
Loving our neighbor isn’t easy, but it’s what we’re called to do and how we’re going to make it through the next 365 days that bear the label “2023”.
So, here we go. Onward to the next combination of “the more things change, the more they stay the same” and “I never thought I’d ever see that in my life.”
Thank you for reading.
I’m praying for you.