Editorials / Opinions

Almost 90% of Americans will make at least one New Year's resolution.

Less than 20% will succeed in accomplishing even one.

The beginning of the year is a great time for life improving resolutions. Common resolutions include losing weight, giving up smoking, maintaining a budget, saving money, finding a better job, getting healthier, becoming more organized, and spending more time with family.

Whatever your resolutions, here are some specific strategies to help you succeed. First and foremost is to take the first step, which is to start. Without action, there will be no success. Action creates results. Intention alone will not work.

Have written goals stating what you want to accomplish. If you want to lose weight, how much and by when? If you want to live within a budget, what is the amount? If you want to continue your education, what school will you go to and which classes will you take?

Take small but consistent steps. Habits are formed by frequent repetition over time. Change occurs by the same process. A resolution is not all or nothing. Partial change is okay. Any progress in the desired direction, regardless of how small, is a success. Accomplishing a resolution is a process, not a one-time effort.

Positive goals are more effective than negative ones. Rather than saying you will eat less, resolve to have a healthier diet. Instead of spending less time at work you can endeavor to spend more time at home. Bad habits can't just be eliminated; they have to be replaced by good ones.

Identify potential obstacles so they don't surprise you. If you experience a setback, don't give up. Don't blame yourself if you stumble. Failure only occurs when you stop trying. Difficulties are an opportunity to learn. If you slide backwards, get back on track, get back in gear, and resume your progress.

Don't keep your plans a secret. Develop a support system utilizing friends and family. Visualize how great you will feel as you succeed. Take credit for all accomplishments. It doesn't matter if your progress is slower than you would like.

Don't try to change too many things at once or you risk becoming overwhelmed and discouraged. You can have a long list of resolutions so long as you realize all of the items don't have to be addressed simultaneously. Each accomplishment can be followed by another. Change can begin at any time, not just on January 1.

Believe in yourself and your ability to change. Change can feel difficult, uncomfortable, or painful, but you can do it. Become determined to succeed. Don't procrastinate. Although doing nothing is often an appealing alternative, it leads to frustration.

Each day is a new opportunity to work on your resolutions. If you were successful yesterday, fantastic, keep going. If yesterday was a disappointment, today is a new chance to make progress. Replace the word "try" with "will." Do whatever it takes to get the results you want.

Sincerely,

Bryan Golden

Bryan is the author of "Dare to Live Without Limits." Contact Bryan at Bryan@columnist.com or visit www.DareToLiveWithoutLimits.com Copyright 2024 Bryan Golden

This unique day – the 25th day of the 25th year in the 20th century and on the 5th day of the week, we pause to celebrate the most unique person who ever lived. What makes this person so extraordinary so that over 2 billion of the world's population now consider themselves Christian – nearly 1/3 of the world's population?

These Christians understand just how unique Jesus Christ really is. This Jew's birth in a stable manger was foretold in Hebrew scriptures. Isaiah wrote that "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel". (7:14) Micah wrote that "Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small…out of you will come for me one whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." (5:2) These are but two of over 300 similar prophecies in the Old Testament foretelling the coming Messiah – the Son of God.

Mary's son grew up to begin an active ministry at the age of around 30. In addition to preaching to crowds of thousands, Jesus performed at least 37 miracles that are described in detail in the New Testament writings. These 37 miracles are just a small portion of all that Christ performed. John wrote: "Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book." (20:30)

The three most dramatic miracles were, 1. Jesus raised Lazarus, who had been dead for four days. (John 11:44) 2. Jesus raised the son of a wealthy widow who had died. (Luke 7:11-17) 3. Jesus raised the daughter of a synagogue leader who had died and was brought to him. (Mark 5:42)

Of course, the greatest miracle of them all was God, the Father raising Jesus Himself from the dead after being crucified and laid out in a tomb for three days.

Jesus was unique. He was born of a virgin making himself both God and man. He lived a sinless life.  He was able to persuade thousands of men and women to believe in Him. The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth stating, "After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep," 1 Corinthians 15:6.

This same Jesus "After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. Then they gathered around him and asked him, 'Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?'"

He said to them: 'It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight," Acts 1:6-9.

This unique individual lived a perfect life, healed the sick and raised the dead. When it was His turn, He gave His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. On the cross, Jesus cried out, "My God My God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46. At that moment, God the Father turned his back on His only Son to allow Jesus to bear the sins of mankind. Upon His death, God the Father raised Him from the dead, giving Him a heavenly spiritual body that was perfect and not bound by the laws of nature.

Billions throughout the world have discovered through faith the free gift of eternal life that the resurrected Christ imparts. On this unique day, 12/25/25 we celebrate the birth of this unique person and all He offers to reunite each of us to a truly unique God.

Sincerely,

Dr. James Hanak, Director American Family Ministries