“All the mistakes I ever made were when I wanted to say ‘no’ and but said ‘yes.’”
- Moss Hart (1904-1961)
Happy New Year ... tabula rasa — a clean slate! May the marking of a new year bring new beginnings in your faith journey. I recall at my first parish assignment there was on the mirror in the bathroom the following prayer:
Oh Jesus, in union with Your most Precious Blood poured out on the Cross and offered at every Mass, I offer You today my prayers, works, joys, sorrows and sufferings for the praise of Your Holy Name and for all the desires of Your Sacred Heart, in reparation for sin, for the conversion of sinners, the union of all Christians, and our final union with You in heaven.
It always seemed the perfect way to start each day by looking in the mirror and offering that prayer. Through the years I have memorized it and made it my own. I recently received in an email some advice for the new year that I thought I’d share with you:
1. Pray.
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say no to projects that won’t fit into your time schedule or that will compromise your mental heath.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more.
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don’t lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can’t do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget. Don’t use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups: an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the kid in you everyday.
16. Carry a spiritually enlightening book with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape/CD while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Everyday, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don’t wait until it’s time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite Scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good “thank you, God!”
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude, “Most people are doing the best they can.”
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36. Every night before you go to bed, think of one thing you’re grateful for that you’ve never been grateful for before. God has a way of turning things around for you. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
I am sure all of us have thought about some resolutions or changes in our lives that we wish to make. But as the familiar saying goes, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” If we form good habits we make a good character. Matthew Kelly, in his book, Rediscovering Catholicism, expresses that self-knowledge is the key to finding your place in God’s plan and being yourself and perfectly yourself. In a Christmas card that was given by the Christian Mothers of our parish of St. Joseph, they said, “Dear Father, Thanks for being who you are.” Matthew Kelly writes, “The best thing you can do for yourself is become the best version of yourself. The best thing you can do for your spouse is become the best version of yourself. The best thing your can do for your children is become the best version of yourself. The best thing you can do for your friends is become the best version of yourself. The best thing you can do for your church is become the best version of yourself. The best thing you can do for your nation is become the best version of yourself. The best thing you can do for God is become the best version of yourself.”
May Mary continue to guide us on our pilgrimage of faith as we seek to do God’s will in serving others in the new year. Wishing you a holy, healthy and happy new year in 2012!
For God, every day is New Year’s.
Every day the sun rises is His act of confidence
that Creation continues.
Every baby born is an act of hope that humanity goes on.
Every marriage is His trust that love is stronger than hate.
Every morning brings a new chance.
Every prayer, a new hope.
Every blocked path, a new route.
Every sin repented, a fresh burst of grace.
Every mistake, a lesson learned.
Every death, a new life.
We have a God who relishes in fresh starts,
new dreams, trying again, resolutions made.
He is the Lord of second chances.
He never tires of giving us another opportunity.
— Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan
P.S. I would like to thank all parishioners who sent notes, cards, baked goods, baskets, gift cards and gifts to me this Christmas season. I am humbled by your generosity and blessed by your love. I pray the Child Jesus bless you and your families with grace, peace and every good thing from above this new year.
P.S. I would like to thank all parishioners who sent notes, cards, baked goods, baskets, gift cards and gifts to me this Christmas season. I am humbled by your generosity and blessed by your love. I pray the Child Jesus bless you and your families with grace, peace and every good thing from above this new year.
