“A New Year, A New Decade”

    A new year, a new decade.  As we put up entirely new calendars, there is much to ponder.  Resolutions, remembrances, reality.  Each of these is a part of what is on our minds as we discard the old year.  And each is somewhat age-dependent.
    Resolutions are something almost everyone makes at the beginning of the year.  And are something almost everyone has failed or forgotten within a month or two.  Youngsters briefly think of helping or obeying their parents, young adults consider what they’ll achieve or accumulate, older adults vow to save money and get rid of junk, and the elderly pledge to take care of their health and love their families.                                                                                                                                                                       Remembrances come to us with mixed emotions.  The past year may have brought memories of wonderful events or vacations; they may remind us of those who are no longer in our midst.  Remembrances bring to mind consequences.  From childhood to old age, we may recall words or actions that we regret.  We may smile at good deeds we accomplished that brought pleasure to someone.  We may rejoice in a new friend we made.  We may get teary as we recall a loved one we lost.  Each remembrance from the past year forms a foundation for our approach to the coming twelve months.                       As we contemplate the resolutions and the remembrances, the reality of our lives intrudes upon our thoughts.  Old bad habits are hard to break; we continue to speak before we think; and, influenced by experiences of the previous years, we tend to respond and react the same way each new year.  It’s hard work to improve ourselves!  It’s hard to separate lessons learned from room for improvement.
    With all these contemplations, briefly prompted by the arrival of a New Year, we can only pray that God will bless each of us - and the world we live in - with opportunities to make our selves and our world a better place.  
    Happy New Year to all.                                                                                                            Virginia                                                                    “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.”
                                                                                  Psalm 62:8