The year is widing down and many of us look to the New Year with hopes that things will be different, better somehow. The beginning of the year is a great time to evaluate our lives and make changes. This often involves resolutions related to health and wellness, both financially and physically.

Unfortunately, statistics say that resolutions last about 12 days. Yikes! That’s not very encouraging. The good news is, with a little extra thought, those resolutions can become reality. It just takes a dose of realism.

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Philippians 3:12-14

First, we need to forget the past – failures and successes. Don’t live off the elation of a past success and don’t drag your feet because of some past failure. This is a new day and a new time. Your situation has likely changed so your goals and methods should as well. Whatever worked ten years ago, might not work now. Give yourself room to be different, older, wiser. Enjoy who you are now. Celebrate this stage in life, whatever that is.

I’m not an expert on resolutions, but I am getting better at giving myself grace. And for a person who has high expectations for herself – too high to attain – it feels good to experience grace from myself.

I dare you to give it a try in the new year!