Catholic New Years Resolutions..

Another New Year, another 'new start'. A time when most people aim to change their ways, out with the bad habits and in with the new and improved version of themselves. It's a good way to get a fresh start mentality but can be hard to maintain beyond January. We start the year with high expectations that we are suddenly going to change completely and become that perfect person we know is lurking beneath the sin. Unfortunately it doesn't always work like that. To start with I find it is good to look back on the year gone and see what we can learn.

When looking back on 2012 don't focus on the negatives, God knows us through and through, he made us and loves us just as we are. We don't need to improve to be good enough for God, we already are good enough for Him. Jesus didn't mix with self-righteous, holy know it alls. He came for us sinners, the murderers, rapists, liars and cheats of the world. If he can love people like that unconditionally then who are we to reject his love? He will always be there for us wherever we are and no matter how detached we feel.

Psalm 139:1-8

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.

You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

A good way to wipe the slate clean is to go to confession, if we want to improve then most important thing is the fact that we do want to change, keep your ambitions for the year realistic and it will help improve your sense of achievement. If you want to stop judging and gossiping then rather than lie and say you'll never do it again, make a conscious effort to think next time I'm having negative thoughts about someone I'll keep them to myself. If you want to get fit don't spend £40 a month joining a gym if you aren't the type of person to use a gym, just go for more walks, play an active game you enjoy like football or badminton.

If you want to improve your relationship with God just think of small things you can do that you weren't doing last year, attend mass more often, give more time in prayer, talk to others more about your faith or read the bible more. Set realistic achievable goals for 2013 and write a list of where you want to be in your life at the end of the year. Write a letter to yourself marking out your aims and ambitions, not just ambiguous short terms fads, but long term changes of attitude and self-improvements. Then next year you can see what you did well, where you went wrong and how you can improve again in the future. Constant evaluation is essential in building self-belief.

May God bless you and all you do in 2013. May you let God into your heart to guide you to do His will and fulfil his mighty incomprehensible plan!

YCM