We celebrate a brand new year every December 31st at the midnight hour as we toast the champagne we’ve been indulging in all night; we kiss those we love; and we hoot and holler with joy of what may lie ahead for us in this brand new year of life. Will we be prosperous? Will we finally lose the extra pounds we obsess about? Will we find that perfect person and settle down? Will we finally get out of a bad relationship or let go of something negative that clouds our lives? There will be an endless number of resolutions made this New Year, but very few will be aligned with what truly would make you successful in gaining and keeping these goals. When we make New Year’s resolutions, we have hope for change. Change begins in your mind and in your perception. When you control your own thoughts, you can control the outcome of achieving your goals.
The Book of Romans talks specifically about how to set your mind. Setting your mind to something requires a continuous and consistent pattern of thought where you remind yourself, repeat to yourself, and double check yourself on how you are thinking and what you are telling yourself. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind”.
We are often thinking of what is important in “this world”. My weight and how I look in certain clothes is important in this world. Making money and having nice cars, homes and jewelry is important in this world. There is also pressure from the world to get married and have a family that means finding the perfect person and not getting divorced. Do not be conformed to this world but renew your mind instead. Set your mind to what we know to be important. Loving, accepting and forgiving other people (even if they don’t ask for it) are important. Do you have love, acceptance and forgiveness in your heart and mind this New Year? Set your thoughts to something different, and you will see a change in your life that is worth your time and energy.