A new year presents us with the opportunity to have a fresh start at life. Although we may decide to do things in a new way at any point in the year, the euphoria that comes with making a transition from one year to another provides that nudge for us to take the opportunity for a fresh start.
One of the commonest things we do as the year rounds up is to set goals, targets and projections.
What do I want to achieve next year?
Where do I want to be in 3 months’ time?
What new skills can I learn next year?
These questions seem to flood our minds as we anticipate the coming year; and all these are good. They are indications that hope is alive in our hearts and that we share in the dream of a better tomorrow. However, too many times we forget something very important.
I say this because in my mind’s eye even as I write this post, I see this businessman who had it as a goal to triple his profits this year and excelled at that gloriously only to realize that despite his financial exploits he still feels stuck and empty.
I can also see that student who had it as a goal to come first in his class and be laurelled by the elite. All that was done and dusted but that student can hardly make it through the night.
Isn’t the attainment of our goals supposed to make our lives better and happier? Not exactly…
More than the attainment of goals, what really accounts for our happiness and wellbeing is the quality of relationships we have in our lives. I once read a piece that shattered everything I thought I knew about life.
Although it was a little disheartening for me but when you have it as a consciousness that education is not just about learning but also unlearning, the lessons are bearable like they were in my case.
Life as said isn’t about how many friends you have or how accepted you are; it isn’t about the car you drive or where you went to school; it isn’t about how beautiful or ugly you are; it isn’t about how many people you have dated neither is it about sex; it’s not about the colour of your skin or the family you belong to; it is also not about how smart or dumb you appear to be.
So what’s life all about then?
It’s about whom you love and hurt; it’s about trust and friendship; it’s about the reason for your actions and inactions. Most of all, it is about touching lives in a very special way with the treasure you carry inside of you.
This is the definition of what it means to be human. It seems there’s been a shift in focus in the minds of many to the notes (money), which by the way is important in this material world.
These notes, however, have little bearing on personal fulfilment and satisfaction. Study shows that stress and depression is on the rise in cooperate high flyers which all the more drums this point home.
In the coming year, dear reader, may I suggest that you prioritize relationships in your life. Cultivate and nourish healthy relationships.
Instead of using such relationships to fulfil your corporate goals, let the pursuit of these goals enrich your relationships. First the relationship, then the goals, with the goals serving the purpose of the relationship.
Most importantly, through all these you need to be held together so you don’t lose your head and your cool. The last thing you would want this coming year is to be an emotional wreck.
Holding you together is what Jesus specializes in. You can confidently cast all your anxieties and fears about your relationships and corporate goals on Him. He will knit all these areas together perfectly balanced and fulfilling so that you can enjoy the very best from both worlds. See you on the other side!
Restpiration 