It is incredibly strange to be writing this with the title as 2015. Where did 2014 go? It only seemed like yesterday that I was ringing in 2014 the way I usually do with my family. But one blink and 365 days have passed, with not one day wasted.
2014 was a good year.
So many trips, memories, friends made, achievements accomplished, and here we are with a new slate. Well, 2 days into a new slate.
I spent the remainder of the new year with my family in Las Vegas. While it is not the quietest place in the world, the crowds and the buzz of the city gave me energy to think and to keep going. I had the opportunity to see the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Climbing up a steep rock face to overlook everything was breathtaking, and it made me realize something really sobering:
Everyday, we get older. And every year, we get even older.
Now, I am not saying this to be cynical, to rain on your parade, or to point out the ever obvious truth because I just realized it, but because this truth that hangs above me is a constant reminder that life goes on, despite what went on that day, that month, or that year.
Life, fortunately or unfortunately, does not come with a remote that enables us to pause life when we screw up, rewind if we want to fix something or fast-forward suffering and adversity to better days. Life does not pause when we hit a rough patch and resume when the worst of it is over. Life continues to flow fluidly, day in and day out, with the good and the bad.
The Grand Canyon has undergone thousands of years of change to become what it is today, and even now it continues to change. We only have so many years to become who we are. We only have a select number of years to change with the experiences that we have had over the years to mold us into the person we ought to be.
Every year, people talk about new year’s resolutions. We all make them and try to keep them. The reality is that sometimes, life gets in the way of keeping them. Temptation rises to prevent us from that goal of snacking once a day as opposed to three. New television series keep us glued to the TV instead of getting outside. Continued advancement of social media affects how we communicate with one another, and even with our loved ones.
This is why this year, I have no grand and sweeping resolutions that I cannot keep. I know for a fact that every year, I come up with something great (or, it sounds great) in January and by April, I have no idea what that resolution is.
Instead, this year I have a simple plan. The plan contains a single part, and that is what I need to do.
If a resolution means “a firm determination to do something”, then here is what I firmly am determined to do: – Practice piano every day for at least 45 minutes – Exercise 3 times a week – Pray every morning – Spend less time on social media and more time studying or with friends/family – Work every day to be a better person
All of these resolutions are set in place to help me achieve bigger plans, all of which I hope to accomplish within the course of this year. I challenge everyone to have SMART resolutions – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time based.
Look within yourself and see what you need to change in order to become a better version of yourself. With this change comes great responsibility, but after this comes the satisfaction of getting better and better every day.
So, what are your new year’s plans?
To end off, I saw something cool on Tumblr last night as I was unpacking. And yes, I can multitask:
So this year, aim high and aim for great things. Settle for nothing less than your best, and never be content with mediocrity. You are worth more than that!
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared us in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10
I wish everyone the happiest of new year’s, despite this greeting being two days late. May your goals be achievable and your happiness great! Keep spilling ink while you do so!
x R