Another year has come and gone. It seems that as I get older the time moves faster and faster. Despite it all I am very grateful to be able to see another new year.
When I wish people a “Happy New Year” many respond by saying that they hope this year will be better than last year. As a person whose glass is always ½ full, I found that last year was pretty good. This is not to say that there weren’t any issues in 2013. There were many issues. I have chosen to turn these issues into challenges. The goal for me is to turn these challenges into stepping stones for growth.
I was able to resolve some of these very quickly. There are others that are still in the resolution process. Working on those is what I plan on doing for this year.
There are other challenges that can’t be resolved right now. These will have to be placed on a shelf to be dealt with at a later time. I am not fearful about these. Sometimes we have to wait until we are stronger to handle those things that are more difficult. This may be the best way to approach it because if we handle them when we are not strong enough we could possibly create more damage than what is already there.
Over the years I have many things on that shelf. I look at them and sometimes I take one down to get a better look. I want to see whether or not I missed something. There are times when I do this that I do see something I didn’t see before. In most cases, though, I have to return the item back to the shelf because I have not yet acquired the skills to deal with it at that time. I never beat myself up over not having those skills. I know that I am just one event away from the success I desire.
As the person whose glass is always ½ full, I feel that every challenge will turn out exactly the way it is supposed to. There are times when the outcome is completely different than what I expected. At each of these occasions the result was the way it was supposed to go. Sometimes right away but in most cases after some time has passed, I get to see that the way I was thinking was completely in the wrong direction. By keeping an open mind I’m able to accept the outcome and move with it easily.
As a rule, I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. What I do is take a look at where I am and see what things about me need working on. Last year I found that my patience needed a real overhaul. There were many times during 2012 that I reacted to quickly to situations. It was during 2013 that I have learned it’s OK to put those difficult to deal with items back on the shelf. I learned over that year that my manhood will not suffer because I waited.
I’ve always been an avid sports enthusiast. I love basketball, baseball and football. I’ve watched many games over my lifespan and it seems that the common denominator that determines the success of those teams is the way in which they finish. The beginning of each game could be the same as a new year and the end, when the time clock reads 00:00, could be December 31.
For the amount of time that the games go on, whether it is four quarters or nine innings, the goal of the team is to have a successful finish. Winning the game is always preferable to losing but a loss can be successful because that person who was on the bench has shown that he/she can be a valuable asset for future games. Each game gives each team the chance to have a positive finish. That could go on forever as long as the league is still in existence.
I have tried to live my life along these same lines. Each day that I am blessed to wake up is a new game. Throughout those 24 hours it is my goal to be as successful as I can be. It is important to finish each day in a positive manner.
There will be days when I am not a winner. There will be other days when that thought, that has been sitting on the bench of my mind, steps forward and I have a new tool to use to take me through life’s challenges.
I always have felt that as long as Jesus has not come back and I’m still alive, I have a chance to make 2014 my best year yet.
Happy New Year!!
I’m the guy whose glass is always ½ full.
I LOVE BEING A DAD!!
Attitude and Perspective is everything! I agree with you – a glass half full is so much better than a glass half empty! Here’s to a great 2014!
What you say about sometimes having to wait until we are stronger to handle those things that are more difficult is so true! From a realist.