As we embark on a New Year we need to look at our reflection in the mirror and not only determine if we like what we see, but if we have good character and behavior. The mirror I speak of is not the on wall we look at to see if we look good, but the mirror of our spirit. If our spirit is angry, bitter, spiteful, and vengeful we reflect that out into the world. Many people will make New Year’s resolutions promising to lose weight, save money, look and feel better, and many other life changing promises. Most New Year’s resolutions don’t consider a change in spirit and behavior. Many of us consider the New Year as a reset button to start fresh on activities we did not fulfill or participant in throughout the last year. Not many of us consider our behavior towards our co-workers, friends, and family something to renew. The term “shade” has been used in popular culture to mean saying or doing something cruel to another person. Think how many times throughout the year have you been shady; have you been kind to the people you care about and love? I have to admit I have not been as kind as I should have been. I cringe at some of my behavior and thoughts towards others. The reflection of my spirit was one of anger; I could give excuses as to why I was angry but it will not mean anything unless I truly change the behavior I was displaying. Have you been shady to co-workers when ask to participant in work related activities, have you been shady to a family member who asked your opinion or assistance with something. Have you been shady with a good friend who asked you to accompany them somewhere, and you just gave them shade. You could have helped out more at work, with the family member, or the friend but just didn’t out of meanest or spite. How does that make you feel that you could have helped someone and you didn’t and one day it might be you who needs assistance?
We need to renew our spirit this New Year’s to be one of kindest, love, warmth, and a giving spirit. This does mean you give until you are without; No, It means you give what you can from your heart. The renewing of our spirit will allow us to extend ourselves even when our flesh resist our spirit pushes us farther. We need to ask our higher power to take away the spirit of anger, bitterness, and spite and replace with love, kindness, and warmth. Once you make it a daily ritual to become a less shady person it will become second nature. I have started on this journey myself before the New Year, because I no longer want to have a spirit of anger and take that out on the people I love. Look into the mirror of your spirit and if you don’t like what your spirit is reflecting into the world make a decision to change into the type of person you can be proud of and that is the best New Year’s Resolution you can make.
We need to renew our spirit this New Year’s to be one of kindest, love, warmth, and a giving spirit. This does mean you give until you are without; No, It means you give what you can from your heart. The renewing of our spirit will allow us to extend ourselves even when our flesh resist our spirit pushes us farther. We need to ask our higher power to take away the spirit of anger, bitterness, and spite and replace with love, kindness, and warmth. Once you make it a daily ritual to become a less shady person it will become second nature. I have started on this journey myself before the New Year, because I no longer want to have a spirit of anger and take that out on the people I love. Look into the mirror of your spirit and if you don’t like what your spirit is reflecting into the world make a decision to change into the type of person you can be proud of and that is the best New Year’s Resolution you can make.