The New Year: Just Another Day

 

"It's just another day, dear," he said. My husband, that is. He was referring to the New Year—the first day of 2009 that everyone makes such a big deal about—awaiting its arrival at midnight like it's some terribly consequential moment. Truth is, it's not. It's a cause for celebration, sure. It's a day that will never come again, yes. But, as my husband said, it's just another day.

 

There I was, putting so much emphasis on the new year, acting as if it was some powerful force—something more powerful than I am. Though I sort of brushed aside the comment "It's just another day, dear" at the time, I've actually been thinking about it a lot recently…pondering it and grasping its meaning.

 

The new year is what we make it and yes, resolutions are great to have. They keep us on track. They keep us putting our best foot forward. But what are New Year's resolutions really? They're regular goals, that's what. You can make a resolution on January 1^st or you can make one on June 25^th—it's still a resolution.

 

Sometimes the new year can be triggering. It can bring up memories we'd rather forget. It can cause us to reflect and feel disappointed in ourselves. It can also be very scary; it's a fresh year we don't want to mess up—how can that possibly NOT make us a little afraid?

 

First things first: Your goals are YOURS and no one else's. Remember that. Don't let what other people think or feel influence your lack of confidence in yourself.

 

Second: Think of the new year as a blank page upon which to write down all your hopes and plans. Don't think of it as a problem to overcome.

 

Third: Don't don't don't think of the new year as something huge. It's not. It's "just another day." It's just another year of days that we can live through in the best way we know how.

 

Cheers to you!