Thoughts 4 New Years Eve

Another year has passed
A new year is rapidly approaching

6h left

At this time of year one is supposed to think about the year that has gone and the year that is coming. One can have mixed feelings about the old year: defeat, failure, success, and/or development. However one feels I think it is a good time to contemplate such things as:

• What is/are the best thing/s I have done this year?
• What is/are the best thing/s that has/ve happened to me this year?
• What is/are the worst thing/s that I have done this year?
• What is/are the worst thing/s that has/ve happened to me this year?
• How have these this affected me and the rest of the year?
• What have I learnt from my experiences and my mistakes?
• What bad habits do I want to leave behind as I enter into the new year?
• What good habits do I want to establish in my life during next year?
• What are the most important things in my life?
• Do I need to reprioritize something in my life?
• What are my hopes and dreams for next year?
• What can I do to make life better for someone else next year?

I am an optimist and I feel very good about the year that has passed and I'm exited about the coming year. Often I feel like I have no clue about anything that has to do with the future, but the good Lord leaves me still the optimist, because I rest assure that even though everything is out of my control, He has everything in control and He will get me through the though times -cause I'm not trying to kid anyone, I know they will come- and He will lead me to good places, as long as I want to follow.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jer 29:11)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him" (Rom 8:28)

But I know there are those called pessimists and those who do not believe as I do. There are those who feel they've made such mistakes that never can be forgiven, those who have suffered defeat and feel like failures. Life isn't a dance on roses -or maybe that's exactly what it is! Whenever I hear that expression (maybe it's only used in Sweden) I remember that roses have thorns. So I sometimes beg to differ. Life is a dance on roses! The question is, how will you deal with the thorns that prick your toes and most importantly, the ones that dig themselves into the flesh of the soles of your feet?

"See, I make all things new." (Jesus, in The Passion)

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not percieveit? I am making a way in the desert and sreams in the wasteland." (Isa 43:18-19)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them." (2 Cor 5:17-19)

Try being the optimist, try foregiveness, try Jesus -the opportunities next year are endelss! The experiences that will make you grow, as well! Think about how you want to grow -I advise you not to try synical or bitter.

Finally I want to wish you all a

Happy New Year!