NEW YEAR'S HOPES: RESOLUTIONS AND ALL THAT

This is the last day of 2020. Most of us will breathe a sigh of relief that it will soon be gone. Everything else will go on, most of it whether we want it to or not. That may be good, or maybe not so much.

But facing it with a positive attitude will go a long way to making it better. That’s what New Year’s resolutions are about. Setting meaningful goals gives us hope that things will get better, that we’ll finally get things done.

When it comes to that, whether about writing or life in general, there are two prayers that I like to remember.

First: “Father, give us courage to change what must be altered, serenity to accept what cannot be helped, and the insight to know the one from the other.” Originally written by Reinhold Niebuhr in the early 1930’s, his famous quote should be familiar. None of those things will be easy, but that makes them all the more critical as goals for the coming year. I have a feeling we’re all going to need tons of all three of those things.

Second: “God, give me the strength to bear what must come.” This is a quote from the book, How Far To Bethlehem?, a fictionalized account of the Nativity story by Nora Lofts written in 1965 (check it out here https://www.amazon.com/How-Far-Bethlehem-Norah-Lofts/dp/1905806183) At one point, when things seem to be overwhelming, Mary asks God, not to remove those obstacles, but to give her the strength to get through them. Again, I think we all will needs that in the months and years to come.

I hope God is gratious to us all and grants these requests for everyone.

Meanwhile, if you’ll excuse me, I have several book to write. HAPPY NEW YEAR!