Beginning Again

The first month of the year is usually a time of new beginnings. It’s a refreshing reminder of the opportunity we have to renew ourselves, to start over, to begin again.

TO BEGIN WITH

It’s the first Saturday of 2021 and I’m hoping for better, brighter days ahead.

However, we must be quick to realize that the New Year is only a measure in time, just another change in the calendar. When the calendar read “2021,” those who were anxious stayed worried. Those who were without light continued to stumble in the darkness. And those who struggled kept on being stressed.

Changing our lives start within our own minds and hearts. But it is only in Christ where we can find the power to create a new heart and mind for the better (2 Corinthians 5:17). In 2021, Jesus remains the only Savior from sin, the only Way to the Father, the only Truth that gives freedom, and the only Life worth living.

It’s only through Jesus Christ that we can truly stand firm and be courageous. That’s why I remain hopeful for a better, brighter 2021. Only because of Him.

A NEW BEGINNING

The first month of the year is usually a time of new beginnings. It’s a refreshing reminder of the opportunity we have to renew ourselves, to start over, to begin again.

At work, this is also the time for planning and preparing. For sorting first things first. Sometimes it is hard to choose and too many “things to do” overlap and create much stress.

In life, it’s the same.

We are pushed and pulled in so many directions, and hear so many voices shouting at us to do this or that, we can’t hear ourselves any longer. We know what’s best, what’s right, what we need to do. But we’ve gotten lost in the disarray.

Yet the truth is we can always create a new beginning. Even when we have made mistakes, failed, and things have all gone wrong. Anytime is a good time for a fresh start.

We can begin right now to solve problems that have lingered for a while. We can bring an end to any unfinished business. We can break old habits, reorganize our priorities, and start something new.

Right now.

We can turn a new leaf anytime once we set out our minds and hearts to do so.

New beginnings start by getting rid of the old and tried. We embark on things that we haven’t tried. We become more aggressive with ourselves and stop thinking that someone or something is in our way.

The quicker we put in the work, disciplines, and right attitude, the sooner we will experience the miracles life has to offer.

I write this because I realize that every day, every moment, we have the opportunity to reinvent ourselves. We can start over and become the person we want to be. We can’t do everything, we can't be everything, and we can’t know everything… but we have the choice of what we want to be.

There is so much in life to choose from. To begin a new beginning, we must listen closely to our intuition, which reminds us of what is really most important.

When I was in college and would feel overwhelmed with studies and my many extra curricular activities (I was sports editor of our college paper, chairman of our student organization, and basketball player), my mom would always remind me, “The cream will rise to the top.” She meant that the most important would always make itself evident, and I would get it done if I focused on it.

We need to let the cream rise to the top of our lives. That’s the essence of minimalism.

I would love to hear about your experiences with new beginnings. Share it with all of us in the comments. It is wonderful when we can impart these inspiring and uplifting moments in our lives.

- “A New Beginning,” from Minimalist on Purpose (www.raymundtamayo.com), January 24, 2013

Raymund's Random Insights

Now comes another year, another chance to say thank you to friends for staying close no matter what…

Looking backward helps us to go forward with a sense of purpose.

There will always be another opportunity. For God is a God of second chances.

Poem of the Week

WE'RE PASSING THROUGH
by Raymund Tamayo

We’re passing the signs
the seasons
and the signposts
at such speed
that pausing to reflect
on where and which
direction to go
and what does it mean
grows harder and harder
year by year.

But what I do know
is that your God and mine
daily watches over
expecting us to listen
and to care about each other.

Across the fields and mountains
beyond the highways and byways,
as Jose Mari Chan sings it,
and to each sea and ocean,
I also sing to you,
reach out to you,
hoping that each new day
in the year just starting
and all those days
in the years ahead
will be full of love and reason,
like the years before.

We’re passing through this
fleeting street called Life and
no matter how bumpy
each road gets,
I want no one else to walk
it through than
with you.

(December 2008)

AND FINALLY

2020 had been rough. But now it's 2021. Let us be encouraged by God’s promises. He is the hope we carry in our hearts until the coming of that brightest day when His shout will be heard, the trumpet will sound, the Kingdom will come, and the King will reign. God bless us all!

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” - 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, NIV

Thanks for stopping by - see you when I see you.