Being Resolute To Appreciate, Too

12/31/24

Happy New Year Beautiful/Handsome Hearted Being!

Can you receive that? Or are you in the ‘a new year is beginning so I must see all my faults so I can fix all that is wrong with me so I’ll be my ideal self in four weeks or less and next year will be perfect’ mode?

Lordy, that’s what it seems like quite a few of us are buying into right now.

But you know what? Maybe it’s ok to see what went well last year instead of acting like it’s time to flush it down the toilet so we can move on to living our version of Eden. 

And perhaps it’s acceptable to see what we’ve done right, too, so we can acknowledge we’re pretty darn good already and just use some tweaking. 

As I (am trying to) sit here, with a back issue that has me doing an impressive impression of Quasimodo (really hopin’ that last chiro adjustment takes!:)), I’m thinking about how life isn’t supposed to be perfect. If it was, we’d be calling where we’re at ‘Heaven’ instead of ‘Earth’.

Some people throw temper tantrums when their lives do not flow to their exact expectations and dictates (not to brag and all, including me at times 😱) while others are trying to gracefully hold it together while they or loved ones are fighting long, drawn out battles for their lives due to addiction, an abusive relationship, disease/sickness, mental illness, situations they’re in that are not of their own choosing, or defending our country, etc. 

Most of us waffle between acting both ways.

There’s been an aspect to healing that I’ve always wondered how it could happen.  A couple months ago I heard a talk that kind of cast a hopeless pall on it, and it took me down. Kinda started thinking maybe a ministry based on complete healing of so much trauma wouldn’t be feasible, and a healthy romantic type relationship couldn’t be possible, after all. 

Didn’t want to succumb to the fading faith yet was heading that way when God, and an angel, started building hope back up again.

But that’s a future post.

What I’m trying to say is, God’s timing and in depth healing are not necessarily influenced by our calendars and impatience.  A true cure and lasting change takes time.

Maybe we’re valuable during the process?

And I don’t know why too many innocent people have a heavier load to bear than others, nor why those who dabble in evil can seem get away with it. 

And all that still bugs me.

But I also know there’s so much beauty in the world and there’ve been some amazing times in the previous months. If I have to learn how to take the not-so-good stuff in order to experience the miracles of nature, truly caring relationships, healing of heart, mind and body that I once thought were beyond redemption, and experiencing increasing peace, joy and ability to love, then that’s what I’ll do. 

My back is throwing it’s own version of a snit fit for sitting here so I’m wrapping this up, not sure if it’s complete or even cohesive enough to make sense.

I just ask though, that if we’re going to create resolutions to better our lives then we make an equal list of things that are already right about it. 

We’re worthy of that effort too, you know?

And I pray if someone is struggling in darkness and can’t see what’s good about their self/life, they squint open the eyes of their heart enough to at least glimpse that ray of Light that is shining hope and love upon the real and amazing being they are. 

(In Jesus name, Amen.)

(Picture above is of the late-great Super-Duper-Awesome-Cooper enjoying the Light of CHRISTmas last year. His big ol’ muzzle always had that goofy pittie grin when doing that. It still makes me smile when remembering it.)     (I miss you & your bro, Bud💜 Tell Alice I said ‘hi’, n’k?)