It’s almost the end of January and I haven’t made a new year’s resolution. What’s wrong with me? Hmmm. I’ve always prided myself on engaging my readers with some kind of inspiration for the fresh year ahead.

Ten years ago when I began writing blogs for Q Style (at the ripe young age of 56), it was inevitable that in early January I’d ask readers how they were going to respond to the upcoming 12 months.

There were my ONE WORD blogs. In 2018, my one word was FOCUS, in 2019, my one word was GRACE/GRACIOUSNESS, and in 2020 the one word was FLOW. (I actually had to look back at years past to remember which word I chose.) Maybe One Word works for you, but I’m giving that up this year, because I can’t think of just one word.

So what IS my resolution? (I could ask you the same thing.)

I’ve decided–like 43% of the population–NOT to make a resolution this year.

In 2015, I wrote a blog on JOY. And here were my words:

“Think about it. Don’t resolutions, by their very nature, imply that something must be wrong? Something needs to be changed or fixed? Our lives aren’t good enough? We have some deficiency, fault, or flaw–some shortcoming or weakness?

For many, the beginning of 2015 will bring on feelings of inadequacy.

It all seems rather gloomy.

Why must we smother a perfectly innocent New Year?

I feel sorry for 2015. We didn’t even give it a chance.“

I hate to repeat a blog, but for goodness sake, let’s begin this year on a high note (if we possibly can).

So, in conclusion, I will leave you with this quote from poet Robert Browning that is going to get me through the year:

“My business is not to remake myself, but to make the absolute best of what God made.” …Robert Browning

Thanks, Bob! I needed to hear that. And every day of the year, I will try to be better: more patient, more gracious, more forgiving, more present, more kind.

While we’re at it, let’s review Bob’s brilliant words of hope:

“Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be…”

Happy New Year!