I always feel a little internal pressure to say something insightful at the beginning of the year, but truthfully, the first day of the year is a relatively arbitrary marker. Still, the “fresh start” effect is a helpful phenomenon, and it can propel us forward in ways we consciously choose.
Above all, though, I’m taking my cue from the Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, who shared a post this week reminding us that there are no resolutions we could keep that would make us more lovable or worthy. Likewise, there are no lapses that could make us less lovable or worthy. And in the year ahead, we can practice affirming the worth of those around us, staying attentive to the needs of others, and working for a better world.
And if January 1 is an arbitrary date to mark the first day of a year, then we can choose any date — or any moment — to start again.
Smuggling Grace 