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- New Year Transformational Resolutions
- By Barrington H. Brennen
- January 2, 2003
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This year began with the great debate about human cloning and
the potential war in North Korea and Iraq. Many are fearful of the future and
there is a high level of instability and insecurity. On the other hand, the
stench of selfishness is raising high above the aroma of sensible living and
healthy relationships. Too many people have their own agendas and will let
nothing get in their way, even if it causes pain to others. In reality, if great
care and effort are not taken, marriages, families, and interpersonal
relationships will suffer the most in 2003. We must not let this happen. The
strength of any family, community, institution, or country, is not just its
financial, intellectual, or industrial resources. It is its meaningful,
long-lasting, reciprocal, and loving relationships.
- RELATIONSHIP FOCUS
What are your plans for 2003? What will be most important to you in 2003?
I believe that everyone should have highest on their priority list in 2003
the establishment and maintainance of healthy, meaningful, and loving
relationships. This focus must be in the home, church, schools, community,
businesses, and government.
Let every spouse make it his or her main focus to have a
warm, mutually supportive romantic relationship with each other. Let all
parents, single or married, make it their focus to have a loving, dynamic, and
understanding relationship with their children. Let every church, community,
school and corporate leader make it their focus to have a people-centered
approach to leadership. Let every politician focus on serving rather than being
served by the people.
- STOP BEING SELFISH
Denying self and focusing on others is not always easy. It feels good to
pat your self on the shoulder or to take care of your needs without
consideration for others around you. However, if we continue to focus on
self above others in 2003, we will have a greater increase in crime, marital
dissolutions, and dysfunctional relationships. We will have less respect for
government leaders. More spouses will walk out on each other. The juvenile
halls of correction will become more crowded. The prison walls will scream
even louder with the pains of hurting inmates. More of our streets will
resonate with the loud gun fires of angry thugs and drug-induced,
spaced-out, schizophrenic personalities.
Let’s stop being selfish in 2003. Unselfishness is transformational.
WHAT TO DO ?
Here a few things we all can do to make 2003 a transformational year:
- Put Christ at the center of your life.
- Go to church at least once a week.
- Say something nice to someone each day.
- Think before responding.
- Visit a less fortunate or sick individual at least once a month. It can
be in the hospital, the community, or the prison.
- Write a letter to at least two persons who need encouragement.
- If you are married make your relationship with your spouse more
important than your career. Spend lots of time together. Set aside one
night a week for "couple time." Go on romantic dates. Take time
to have fun together.
- Watch the movie "Preacher’s Wife" with your partner.
- Find some way of affirming your love for your spouse every day of 2003.
You need 364 more ways from today onward.
- Read more meaningful books and watch less television. Find pleasure in
reading the Bible.
- Join a community or church service group.
- Go to bed earlier, (before 10 p.m.) and raise earlier, giving your body
the maximum opportunity to rest and gather energy for the new day.
- Exercise at least three times a week.
- Listen to inspirational, classical, or soft country music at least once
a week. Remember, too much rock music makes one agitated and angry.
- Eat less red meat and highly-spiced foods. Remember that lots of red
meats affect the heart, and lots of spicy foods affect the stomach. If
these are affected, the mind will also be affected.
- Reach out and hold the hand of someone each day.
- Remember, always to say "I Love You" to a friend, parent,
spouse, or colleague.
Have a happy and meaningful new year.
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