Thoughts On A New Year
We are fast approaching the new year; many people make resolutions during this time to help get them motivated to carry out some goal. Often these resolutions are forgotten by the spring or after we go on vacation for spring break. I challenge you to be more consistent with your goals. Consistency in the goals you set is key to sustaining and reaching them. Setbacks will always occur, this is just life, but being consistent in your goals will help you continue to march forward.
Looking back over the past year is a fantastic way to reflect on what went right, what you need to change, and what things you can celebrate. People forget to celebrate things in life, if you reached a goal in your life you need to acknowledge it and celebrate it somehow. Goals without celebration is just work.
I have been thinking a lot about my life this year, I have had to ask some tough questions of myself. You know, those ones you avoid asking because you either don’t have an answer, or you don’t like the answer you give yourself. Questions like: where do you want to be in 3 years, 5 years, 10 years? How do you want your life to go during that time? What about the things you are doing right now makes you happy? Are the things you are doing right now getting to you to where you want to be in 3-5 years? Self-reflection is never easy but remember to look at the good things as well as the things you need to work on.
The things I am thinking about is the how can I spend more time with my family. I am at the stage where the kids are getting older and will be off to college or some work that will take this time away. I place an importance on family and friends as I believe this brings me the most joy and helps me to live out my purpose in life. I often overlook the interactions we have with family and friends and how the ripple effect of these interactions can have on the world. You never know what impact you have on others in their daily lives.
Next, I am thinking about how I can make this place I live better than when I was brought into it. This goes with living out your purpose for which God has planned for you. This is tough for me as I want to control as much as I can to ensure some outcome, I believe is best for me. Often this leads us down paths that are not what God wants for us, so I need daily reminders that God has a plan, and we are just executing that plan. There is a sense of freedom when you live through God, letting things go and play out with God in mind releases the stress and anxiety many feel. Remember, God supplies what we need and will only give us what we can handle.
So as you look to 2023 keep these things in mind, be consistent, don’t underestimate your impact on this world, and know that God has a plan.
-Dr. Brian Opp, D.C.