A Fresh Start
It’s a well known trope that the new year is an opportunity for a fresh start. As tired as this sentiment can seem, I think it’s a very powerful one.
The turning of the calendar is an opportunity to take stock of your life, the past year, and where you are headed. Many people get stuck in life because they don’t live with intention, with conscious decisions about where they are headed. This can make it feel like one is stuck, marking time.
Living with intention is powerful. Each New Year I create a list of goals for the year. Resolutions tend to be broken, so that word carries too much baggage for me. I like goals, intentions, ideas to be inspired by for the next year.
I encourage you to take a few minutes to look over the past year and take stock of where you are. You can look over your calendar, or scroll through the pictures on your phone. You’ll be reminded of the good and bad times over the last 12 months. I always find this makes an impact on my thinking.
Once you have some ideas of where you want to go and how you might want to alter things, I encourage you to WRITE THEM DOWN. This act has great power also. Seeing them written on the page makes them more real and allows you to stop and consider each one.
Don’t be overwhelmed, just plan on small steps forward. Starting each day with the intention to make small changes can add up to big advancement over time. A healthier body can start with a daily walk, no matter how short. Schedule a regular time and step out the door. Create a habit of being more positive by simply starting to take note of negative thoughts, realize you have the power to stop and think of something else, and move forward. Keep a tally on your phone for a day of the number of negative thoughts. It can be eye opening.
You may need to schedule time to rest or read or start the novel. Put it on your calendar. Give yourself the gift of that 30 minutes each day. Listen to a podcast or watch a webinar on a topic that can make you a better teacher. Commit to watch one each week, or even each month. Any time given to self-improvement will add up and you will grow.
I’d also like to encourage you to rest for short periods during your day. This article in the New York Times explains that even 5 minutes, 2 minutes, 10 seconds of stopping and taking a breath in the middle of your day can make major changes in your energy level!
We have the ability to start fresh each and every day. But sometimes a more lasting change can start right now, as the new year begins and we feel inspired to take steps toward the life we really want. Stop and decide what that life looks like, write it down, then take small steps each day toward these goals. Each day won’t be perfect, but like practicing your instrument, it’s the effort over time that makes you a better player. Have a great new year!
Tim Hinton
January 1, 2024
