It’s a New Year. For some it is a time to make (and perhaps break) fresh resolutions, or re-state, dust off, and re-use older ones whether or not they’ve lasted and benefited us or others.
Above the less-than-surefire lists of resolutions, may be a commitment toward personal life change to benefit others and ourselves.
We must choose to humble ourselves in gratitude when we think about another opportunity to make a positive difference for ourselves and others. What is our inclination toward choosing personal behavioral change, hopefully improving someone else’s situation as well as our own?
When confronted with difficulty, which activities in the list below may represent our first inclination (what we are inclined to do, and not just say)?
1. In times of challenge involving others, do we inwardly or outwardly negatively criticize, offer to provide helpful critique, or diligently work to complete a person who could be assisted by our positive actions?
2. How willing are we to sacrifice to help someone else?
3. Do we strive to help or hinder?
4. Is our first inclination to build up or tear down?
5. What motives define our methods?
6. What actions do we practice which show commitment to another’s welfare, not just our own?
7. Are we fulfilling “us” as a first priority?
8. Are we fulfilling “others” as a first priority, instead?
I am convinced that great leaders and faithful followers believe, act upon, and thereby prove that people are more important than what they do, that building viable relationships precedes (comes before) function and often defines what improved and life-changing function can be.
In fact, let’s define a relationship as what I do to help you succeed, not caring who gets the credit. I demonstrate my commitment to you, regardless of title or position, by changing my behavior before I ask you to change yours. It’s selfless giving, following the command to Love One Another.
This is a lifestyle that may demonstrate a more meaningful existence through building lasting legacy by being a friend to others, not a foe, while telling truth in love, or in an atmosphere of true caring. Declaring what we want to do, and then doing it for someone else’s betterment, represent “higher road” beliefs and actions that can produce uplifting results over time. As we understand it, this is the example God gives us.
So, instead of making resolutions that may become easily unfulfilled or broken, how about if we create life-changing restitutions where you and I desire and then choose positive change because we want to, not because we have to? If we agree, when should we begin? After all, it is a New Year for everyone.
Could this desire for a new way become our inclination of first priority?
I believe we can choose to help others. We can make a New Year fulfilling instead of frustrating for ourselves and those around us. The choice is ours.
Be encouraged in who you are, and what you do.
Happy New Year!
By Glen Aubrey, written 11-24-19. © 2020 by Glen Aubrey. All Rights Reserved.