New Beginnings

Some thoughts of mine from a recent article I wrote published in a police newsletter:

                It's that time again, a time for reflection, a moment of self-evaluation and yes, a concerted effort at New Year's Resolutions.  We've just celebrated Christmas, Hanukkah and the Holiday Season.  For most, we gorged ourselves with turkey, ham and mash potatoes, we ate way to many holiday brownies and we drank far too much cider.  The Christmas lights are back up in the rafters, the Menorah is put away and all the December traditions are packed and readied for next year.  And now, it's time for change; it's time to do something about this thing we call life.  After all, we aren't getting any younger, right?

A New Year's resolution is simply a commitment one makes to a personal goal; it is made in anticipation of the New Year, a new start.  It isn't a surprise that the top three resolutions for 2013 are weight loss, a goal to quit smoking and a zeal to begin exercising; it's also not a surprise that over 75% of those that do make resolutions fail within the first week, another 70% within two weeks and almost 50% quit within the first six months (actually, less that 10% ever achieve their goal...).

I have an idea for this coming year.  Yes, do lose weight if you need to - your health depends on it.  Oh, if you do smoke, it would be a great idea to stop as well.  And of course, as an old athlete, I can't emphasize the importance of being in shape.  My thought for 2013: let's invest our time into 'the other'.  Namely, for 2013, how about seeking people that you can give yourself to.  At our church, for this past Christmas season, I challenged our family to invest their time and life into 'the other'; the feedback I have received from countless individuals has been overwhelmingly positive.  You see, there is no greater joy, no greater meaning, no greater fulfillment than to give your time, attention and love to 'the other'.  We have a rule at Rock Harbor, a rule we live by.  Specifically, everyone who walks through the doors of our church is considered a special guest invited by God and worthy of our love, attention and affirmation.  Likewise, I've challenged our church to extend this mindset outside the walls of our church.  How about joining us? Why not considering those you meet, those you frequent, as special guests invited by God into your life that are longing for time, attention and love? 

And, instead of a New Year's Resolution, how about a New Beginning?  A paradigm shift, if you will, a new focus on 'the other'.  Modern psychology teaches that giving one's life to the other is the most healthy thing anyone can do.  The Torah instructs over and over that 'the other' is the key to fulfillment in life.  My favorite Rabbi Jesus is famous for saying, "It is more blessed to give than to receive!"  How about it?  You have twelve months in front of you to love, care for and invest your life into 'the other'. 

You know, with all the tragedies our world has, with all the brokenness we experience, I'm convinced it's time for all of us to get outside of ourselves and get into the business of loving, caring and blessing 'the other'.  Who knows - perhaps our Creator has a divine appointment in store for you that will radically alter one's future because of your New Beginning - a beginning to treat 'the other' as you would like to be treated. 

Happy journey, thanks for hearing me out, and best to you as you think about and perhaps embrace my idea of 'the other'.