Every year is a good year

I consider Christmas the best time of the year. Apart from the beautiful Christmas decorations and the sudden peace and calmness that seems to fill the air, it is a reminder that the old is passing away and something new is ahead. Many people share my excitement, yet there are others that dread this time of the year. Many have developed the habit of saying "Oh dear, I can't wait for this year to be over. This year was one of the worst!" But what really made it such a terrible year? Because everything didn't work out the way you expected? Because you faced trials and various challenges? Well, one way is to look at it in this negative way, another is to focus on the positive things you encountered during the year. Your attitude and mindset will already set the tone for the year ahead. Of course, one could argue that wanting the year to end is a way of looking forward to the next, but what is the guarantee that you will even see next year? Instead, you should be grateful for the opportunity to be part of next year and another chance to shape it in a positive way.

Words are very important, so even if you faced a challenging year, what about the great things that happened during the year? Don't let your words tear down and erase the victories and blessings that you had. 

Furthermore, facing trials is actually not a bad thing. Of course, they are challenging and will require your spiritual, mental, emotional and sometimes even physical strength but when you overcome and stand strong, the reward is glorious. My greatest take away from this year is that facing trials in a specific area will strengthen your muscle in others. Have the conviction that even if you might be struggling in one area, you will surely excel in another!

Therefore, go into your list of new year's resolution with a positive mindset. Bring out your list of goals and see which ones you were able to achieve this year. Tick off the things that you succeeded in and evaluate the goals that you may not have accomplished. Were those the right goals? Did you have all the resources to make it happen? Do you want to try and pursue this goal again next year or replace it with another one? This exercise could be disappointing in some aspects, but it shouldn't be. Not accomplishing something does not equal failure. You could also turn the exercise around and write a list of things you succeeded in and hold it against your initial list of new year's resolutions, then you will see that you achieved many things during the year that were not even on your list at all.

I would advice to use this time of year for all the positive and right things. Christmas is about love and reevaluating who you are and how you want your journey to continue. "Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Because of his great mercy he gave us new life by raising Jesus Christ from death. This fills us with a living hope,..." 1 Peter 1:3 (GNT) Be thankful for the year that has passed and embrace the new year ahead.

May you and your loved ones have a blessed and merry Christmas and may you achieve even more than you hoped for in the coming year!