The Best New Year's Resolution

As we flip our calendars over to a new year, I am sure I, like many of you, plan to set new goals, challenges, and changes for the months ahead. For me these start small by making sure I keep my scribbling of "2024" to a minimum when I fail to rememeber to write "2025." It's the little victories that matter, right? 

A new year brings excitement and joy but can also feel overwhelming. Too often I find myself discouraged at all the things I failed to accomplish the previous year. Instead of letting myself be crushed under the weight of things that I "could've done better" on, I find it helpful to start each new year with gratitude.

It's simple but effective. Take some time in quiet, before bed, before mass, in adoration, and write down the things you are most thankful for over the past year. Maybe it’s a trip you took, someone you got to visit, a friend or family member, a roof over your head, etc.

I find myself thankful that despite all the major ups and downs God brought good from them all over the year. Clearly he’s pretty amazing and I need to stop doubting that.

So, amidst the rush of a fresh new year, take some time to be thankful for the past year. In finding the small things to be grateful for, you can face this new year with the confidence that no matter what happens, no matter what resolutions you keep or break, there will always be something to be grateful for. Here's to a great year ahead!

Also, if you're looking for some specifically Catholic resolutions, this is a fun list provided by FOCUS. Pick one and try it out:

https://focus.org/posts/a-list-of-catholic-new-years-resolutions/