How quickly the second day of a year or the next day comes. As day two of the year dawns, we are already “into” the year and, while all the New Year resolutions are still fresh in our minds, it’s amazing how quickly the pace of life takes over. Already the strong resolve of day one is becoming slightly blurred.
Dare to share your dream
Did you dare to tell anyone the things you wanted to do; the things you thought of as the New Year began? It’s a good idea to share your dreams, goals, intentions and hopes. Mostly because it’s often other people who will remind you, ask you how you’re doing, encourage you not to give up and spur you on.
It’s also a risk, because when you tell others, they will be the first to say “I thought you said you were going to lose weight this year; stop smoking, spend more time with your wife, get out of debt, buy a house, travel overseas”. However, if you remember your hand is in God’s hand, you will realise He also nudges you to own the things you resolved to do – these are the things, no one else can do.
Be inspired
I met a mother who told me that she had fallen pregnant in her final year at school. On the day her baby was born, she was due to write one of her final exams. Because her desire was to complete her year of study, she had made arrangements to write this exam in the hospital. Immediately after giving birth, she was washed, her baby was whisked away to be taken care of and she was shown into a room. She was handed her exam paper in a sealed envelope. She wrote the exam and passed.
I was stunned and inspired by her story. What enabled her to approach this situation, this obstacle in her path, in the way that she did.
Was it a hunger for achievement, a desire not to be halted in her journey, the belief that an impossible situation viewed from a positive perspective – was possible? As I worked with this lady, I realised that she has great dreams and desires. She has counted the cost, is willing to take responsibility and tame her time to mould her future.
Focus on the reasons to make it happen
Her attitude and approach have rubbed off on her children and I am sure you would never hear the words “if only”, or “I wished I had” in their home. What you may hear is “of course you can do it”, “there’s always a way”, “it’s up to you” — words we have often heard, but somehow get replaced with “I don’t have the time”, “I have run out of time”, “Where has the time gone?”, “I am exhausted”.
Reflection
Ponder if there is something in your life you have longed to do; indeed you have often talked about it, but somehow the passage of time has shifted it further and further away.
Is it time to pick it up or take a step towards it?