Do A New Thing

 As we enter into this second day of 2023, we may be thinking about the past year, reflecting on the highs and the lows, hoping that the New Year will be better, more prosperous and happier. We may have made some New Year's resolutions, vowing to be thinner, healthier, kinder or smarter.

 

 

 In contemplating the significance of a New Year, I am reminded of the advice I give to the four year olds at the Montessori school where I work, as they are lining up to move from one room to another: face forward-don't look back at your friend, or down to the ground, but look ahead and pay attention, so you can see where you're going and not fall. Simple advice, for sure, but important for a four year old or an adult.

Stay focused, don't look backwards and move ahead. If we are constantly looking behind us, reminding ourselves of past mistakes or repeating the same ones over and over, or are stuck in stale patterns or habits of mind, we "take our eye off the ball" so to speak and are not fully living in the here and now.

Of course, reflecting backward, in a contemplative moment (when there is no danger of falling!) can be a valuable exercise. It can be part of the process of moving forward: Writing in a journal, for example, can help us to see positive and negative patterns in our life, to identify highs and lows, areas in need of change and growth, or simply, what makes us happy and what feels right.

Once we have done our reflecting, however, it is important not to ruminate. Regrets and self-condemnation are like poison to the spirit. When we have identified lessons learned and asked forgiveness, made amends and resolved not to repeat past mistakes, it is time to let it all go and move forward.

Sure, moving forward can be scary if the way is unfamiliar. But God calls us to be alert, to trust the guidance of Spirit, to enter through the open door and to continually do a new thing. If we are not reinventing ourselves, we can become immobile and fearful of anything new. 

So today, on this second day of the New Year, I invite you to join me in prayerfully looking ahead, focusing on the here and now and not the past.  Let's do a new thing, one baby step at a time!