2025. A blank slate or the same old, same old?

Many people use the blank slate to make promises to themselves to do better, be better, start something new, rekindle something old. All of these things could have begun on any random date, but the world encourages us to use the start of the new year to start something new.

Unfortunately, all these good intentions fall to the wayside in the event called life. We don’t get up in time to do the exercise or read the Bible before life ensues. Or the beloved family fails to live up to your own expectation, and you become angry and shout at them! Any number of life events have derailed your best intentions. What do you do?

Some oft-quoted advice comes into play here as well: after falling off the horse, get back on. In this case, start again on January 4 or February 28 or whatever day you decide to try again.

Why do we choose to give up on our resolutions? Why do we choose to give up on ourselves? Thinking about the parable of the prodigal son, it was only when the son decided to face his father with his failure that he was forgiven and feted for his return. However, the older brother chose to accept the younger brother’s return. Our attitude toward ourselves is often hard-hearted. We label ourselves – “failure,” “stupid,” “unworthy” – even though we would never say those things to anyone else!