Reflections of Life

My New Years Resolution...

In my view, there are three types of people who make New Year’s resolutions…those who live in the past, those who anticipate the future, and then there are those who live for today. The category you fit in just may determine whether 2021 will be a truly ‘Happy’ new year or whether it will be like many others, that end in broken resolutions, disappointments, and failure to achieve the goal in life that most, if not all of us, seek to achieve to be truly happy.

I’m just saying but… If you’re one of those who enjoys pondering the past, with its simplistic, carefree life that characterized your childhood, then you’ll view 2021 through the lens of what life used to be and wish that the New Year would ring in an era in your life when today’s problems no longer exist. You can go skipping along, ‘pretending’ that the world of ‘Leave it to Beaver’ still exists and the biggest problem you’ll face in 2021 is whether you’ll wear formal attire to your next social function or casual because that’s what the ‘cool’ guys or gals do…Hey, but Wally and Mary Beth have already decided that for us, haven’t they?

Perhaps you’re one of those persons who cynically views the world through the complex prism of current affairs and sees nothing of real value, hope, peace or happiness to look forward to in 2021. So, you like to imagine what things could or will be like in the utopian, future of a brave new world where peace reigns supreme and everyone sits around on pillows in a lush, flower filled garden, holding hands and singing Kum Ba Ya. Now, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying and reminiscing about the past, in its nostalgic, peaceful splendor or anticipating what our world will one day be like…In some ways it’s even good for us to remember times like those…but will that make you happy in 2021?

I’m one of those who anticipates what the future holds for many of us who call ourselves Christians and I pray that 2021 will be the year that the ‘Prince of Peace’ will return to put an end to life’s tragedies and sorrows and ushers in a time of total peace, security and happiness such as this world has never seen!...But, will that really make me happy TODAY and each and every day in 2021? Will glorying in the past or looking forward to the future really make me happy in 2021 or will learning to live in the present reality?

I’m praying that you and I will learn to make each and every day the best it can be in 2021…that we can enjoy reminiscing in the past and anticipating a glorious future in light of what God is doing today! Until we can let go of those encumbering heartaches of the past and lay aside our consuming desire to enjoy heaven on earth NOW, we can never be truly happy…We have to-learn-to-live-in-TODAY! This New Year I’m asking God to let each of us learn to experience and enjoy the fulness and beauty of each new day! From the Snider home to yours…

Happy New Year and may the God of all blessings flow abundantly to you and your beautiful families in 2021! ❤