New Year's Resolve

I awoke this morning to a few midnight texts trickling in. I was in bed far before the midnight hour and woke this New Year's morning wondering of an appropriate message to send out in a blog. As I scrolled through my IPhone, I saw two polarizing texts that immediately illuminated my thoughts on the New Year, but also put into perspective the exiting out of the past. The two messages could not have been so stark in their message, perspective, and revelation to my life and to the lives of so many people living in the world today.

My first text was from an acquaintance, a therapist and study partner from the past who neither knew me fully, nor played what I would consider an essential part in my life. Yet looking back, I realized this individual had helped me in a time of need, and cared enough about me to write me a text wishing me well in my upcoming year. The text read "I am wishing & praying that you have a blessed & prosperous year in 2010." Nothing earth shattering, nor endearingly sentimental, just a solid, heart felt hope from one caring person to another. Now unbeknownst to the sender, this small beacon of light would become a bright beam in the demarcation of my past years and the continued ushering in of the present. A literal emblematic message of New Year's resolve, in comparison with the empty, hollow script I read next.

My second text was one from an anonymous sender. Not that they were intentionally trying to be shrouded in secrecy, though one might think that after reading the text. No, this person was someone from my past. An un-named individual not registered in my phone, no face to recall from years gone past, left out from my current reality, but still communicating electronically as so many can, and do, and will at moments such as these. This person was an apparition, a symbolic metaphor for all things left behind. The text read "Wish u peace, love & health. Blah Blah Blah f*uck that sh*t. I wish u lots of sex, alcohol, orgasms & hope u win the f*cking lottery! Happy NYE!"

Immediately my mind cleared, my trite resolutions caved way to a resolve. I knew what message I would bring into 2010, to my friends, family, and patients I would work to impact this upcoming year. I immediately realized that the New Year is not about resolutions, it is about a way of life. Does one rally frantically to correct symptomatic problems in their lives, or does one take the time to review the year and years gone past and continue solidifying their resolve for the future? Anyone can give you a laundry list of common resolutions but often these crumble as those we associate with, our lifestyle, and our daily actions make our goals impossible to realize, and our promises impossible to keep.

As so many wake up hung over from a night out on the town, money blown, nothing new gained, I challenge you to think about where your life is headed. What are your wishes for yourself in 2010? Are you the person that can sum up their wishes by text #1, or are you more of a text #2 kind of person? Do most people you consider friends see life as a simple equation of money, sex, drugs, and rock n roll, always searching to quench the thirst of self gratifying drought? Or are you surrounded with those that pray and bless your search for health and wholeness? Which kind of person are you and which kind of person do you want to be? What is important to you as you stride forward in 2010?

Believe it or not once you decide to choose between wholeness and frivolity, New Year's resolutions become obsolete. One does not have to shoot for small gains to patch over the emptiness felt within. No, for the one who chooses wholeness and life, New Years is the time of resolve. It is a time of reviewing the past and standing solid in the forward movement and progression of your life. The realizing that your own "work in progress" has moved from one year to another, and a time to celebrate and further your resolve in growth and actualization. My desire is for all to replace our New Year's resolutions, with a New Year's resolve.

As my acquaintance from the past and soon to be friend of the future said, "I am wishing and praying that you have a blessed and prosperous New Year in 2010."

http://www.matthewbruhin.com/