Merry Christmas! A New Beginning

     A couple of Sundays ago I was sitting in church and Pastor Sam reminded us the reason for the season--Jesus is the reason for the season.  Now that is nothing new but he went on to say, "the birth of Christ brings new beginnings."  That's when it hit me--Christmas is about New Beginnings.
     So let me recap, in October we started where we were--at The Beginning.  Then in November, we paused to remember, reflect and rejoice for the gifts we have to use to achieve our purpose.  So what's left?  That's a good question!  Today, we give praise and worship for a new beginning because when we start where we are and grow our gifts and talents, sometimes we strike; sometimes we foul; and sometimes we hit a home run.  But I have learned each day to just do what you can because that is all you can do.
     Hey New You, do what you can!  You simply cannot do what you can’t do no matter how hard you try.  So what if you foul or strike out.  Ask yourself, "did I do all that I could do?"  Chances are that you did because who wouldn't hit a home run if they could?  Doing what you can must become your drive and determination.  So when you miss the mark at any time, you can rest assured there is a lesson to be learned and tomorrow is a new beginning to try something new and get a new result.
     Amelia Earhart once said, “the most effective way to do it {whatever it is} is to do it.”  When she was nearing her 40th birthday, she was ready to attempt to fly around the world and she is quoted as saying, “I have a feeling that there is just about one more good flight left in my system” and this after her first attempt had severely damaged her plane.  She didn’t fail; she just hit a pothole on her way to her final destination.  If you have the drive and determination, every day is a new beginning, another opportunity to start again anew.   We won’t fly until we are no longer afraid to fall so let your fears and failure fuel your 2017.  In less than a week it will begin a new year.  Resolve to start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can do to make 2017 your best year yet.
     Merry Christmas and a Happy New You!