It has become customary for us, as we begin a new year, to look at all the changes we can make in our lives to make way for a better future—at least, for the next 365 days. We often look at the year that has passed as the year where we reached some milestones and were not able to achieve all that we hoped to achieve from that year. We become disheartened that our goals for the new year did not go as planned. So, what do we do? We say, “this [new] year will be my year! Forget last year; this is the year.”
What many of us fail to see before we look ahead into the new year is the very same thing we are trying to forget: our past. Our past can give us a glimpse into what did not go wrong but, more importantly, it can tell us what went well. Knowing what went well, you’ll find, will be much more constructive than simply looking at your previous year in negative light.
By shifting your perspective from one of negative thoughts and views, you allow yourself the opportunity to see potential in your future plans. In the past year, perhaps you did not get that raise that you had hoped. You probably did not lose the 30 lbs that you were hoping to. Maybe, you are upset at how your relationships have shaped out. The list may go on, as much as you allow it to.
In the wake of this new year, we can begin thinking of our life and goals as one not split into single years, but one of a continuous process. With that said, noticing the good that happened in the past year may allow us to see the good that is forthcoming. You did not get the raise? Think of the good experiences you made with your coworkers, the lives you helped with your profession, and the skills you have built along the way. You did not lose the 30 lbs? Well, you did see and feel a difference during that time that you chose to change your lifestyle a bit. Think about what helped you get through those positive moments. Put yourself back in the mindset of triumph and resilience and you will see that you can make more precise and hopeful goals this upcoming year. Now, was your relationship status not what you wished? Think of how much stronger you became from that let down, how much more understanding you became from those vulnerable moments, or think how proud you felt the moment you decided to let go of the person who was holding you back.
During the beginning of a new year, we can get lost in thinking about all of the negatives that happened in the year past, hoping that our new year will bring something different. The reality is that any year can bring both ups and downs. It is not meant to be perfect. Everything that happens is there to make us better.
Every year will bring in new ideas and experiences. These, in effect, will make us better human beings. However, we cannot move forward by thinking that each year was a complete failure, and shall therefore be forgotten. On the contrary, we shall try to remember all of what we did. . . more, importantly, all of the good that we did and obtained along the way. By doing so, we will build a brighter future of continuous accomplishments that do not contain an expiration date of one year.
