Thought For The Day – 1st January 2013

Every year we all make New Year’s resolutions, whether it’s to give up smoking, lose weight, or to budget more efficiently these are all different things that everyone gives up every year to try to improve their lives, or the lives of their families and friends. But this year why not do something a bit different – why not take something up for New Year – you could go to mass once a week, whether you’ve never been before, or only go occasionally any of the churches in town alike be happy to see you, or you could make a commitment to donate money to charity – whether once or more regularly to use the slogan of a popular supermarket chain, every little helps.

In the bible we are told (Psalms 41:1-2) “Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. The Lord will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.” No matter whom you meet in the coming year, and no matter what challenges life throws you, it is important that we all remember that no matter how bad things are for us, there are always those who are worse off. So for the New Year, why not adopt a positive look on life, helping those less fortunate than ourselves, whether it’s your neighbour who is alone with no one else, or whether you give money to help those in famine, or hardship – helping others could be your New Years resolution.

Alternatively, you could consider forgiving those who’ve wronged you this past year, or those with whom you might not have the best relationship – to refer to the bible once again, in the bible we are told “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” So why not take this opportunity this New Year as we look to the year ahead to forgive those with whom you may have grievances, so that we may all start 2013 with a clean slate – forgiveness doesn’t mean that you have to become the best of friends with your neighbour, but why not take this opportunity for a fresh start to forgive those whom have wronged you, or whom you yourself may have wronged.

Looking to the year ahead, no matter what your New Year’s resolution may be remember those less fortunate than yourself, and why not take this opportunity to forgive those around you. Though the year may have advanced by only one from 2012 to 2013, we can all take this as an opportunity to forgive those around us, to be good to those less fortunate than ourselves, to be a good Samaritan, to lighten up someone’s day when they’re down. Remember, not all New Years resolutions need to be huge, simple things can often be some of the easiest things, but can mean the world to those around us.