Calendar change…
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. Isaiah 43:19 NIV
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Matthew 6:34 (a) NIV
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 NLT.
I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. Charles Dickens (A Christmas Carol)
The change of the year evokes a number of feelings in people. On New Year’s Eve, we nostalgically remember the past year and even years before. We think about happy and sad moments and everything in between. We think of people who have died and those who have been born or married. New Years Day is a day for dreaming of the future. What will the year bring? New jobs, places to live, relationships? Will it be a good year or a tough one? What can I do to plan for it?
The truth is that the past IS in the past. We can remember the people and moments that made it significant. We can be glad that hard events are past and that we have good memories too. But we can’t go back and relive it; the past is done. So while revisiting the past in memories can be heartwarming, we can’t live in it nor is it healthy to try to.
Likewise, the future is unknown. Yes, we can and should make plans and set goals, but it’s wise to hold it all loosely. The future is not here yet and there are many unknowns that can show up unexpectedly on the horizon causing us to have to re-evaluate and set a different course. So, while it’s fine to consider the future and have dreams, we can’t and shouldn’t live only for those expectations.
Today is all we can be certain about. So living wisely in the moment is essential. Remembering and learning from the past and preparing for the future but living today fully. Love unconditionally and openly. Tell those dear to you that you love them; tell them often and in many ways. Not just the three words “I love you”, but with actions and words of various forms. Take care of yourself in every way…spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally. Live generously and make a difference in the world. Hold tight to God so that you remember that you are never alone on the rollercoaster adventure that we call life.
