PRINCIPLES ON WHICH TO BUILD NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

In his letter to the Philippians the apostle Paul shared his secret of success; he wrote thus: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

The first principle on which to build new year resolutions from Paul's counsel is not to live on past success, last year attainments. Yes, past success, can be a lesson to lubricate how to approach the unknown future and challenges; but it's glory should not be given chance to blur our vision, and lender our potential dormant.

You must climb the higher ground to overcome the tendency of dwelling on the goals you have already scored, but, on what is yet to be met. Purpose driven lives are always anchored on the premise of always reaching forward. Indeed, Victor Frankl, a Viennese psychiatrist once declared, “Not having a goal should be feared than not reaching a goal.”

Nevertheless, Michael Amico in his book “The Quitting Point” Writes of a great painter who was once asked, “Of all your great works of art, which one do you consider your greatest?” The artist responded, “My next one.” This artist notwithstanding his past master pieces - was out there reaching forward to higher level of success and excellence; never basking on what he already done. What a way to approach 2010!

Secondary, Paul calls us to be focused, he says “one thing I do.” The lens phenomenon, is a good example, on why your 2010 resolution must be focused to burn the celling that has contained your live – to think within the box, to bask on cheap attainments.

Amico says that he has discovered that there are many things that you simply won't have time for if you want to win at life, experience revival, or be successful. He adds, you must be careful not to stress yourself out by having many irons in the fire and too many pots on the stove. Indeed, Bill Cosby once pointed out: I can't give you the formula for success. I can, however, give you the formula for failure – say 'yes' to everything and everyone.

It is prudent to establish a few basic priorities, goals – that embrace reality and your unexploited potential, areas that you've been failing and areas you have not been diligent – to be worked out; and be devoted to attain them. So many people fail to live, attain their resolutions, because, as the year picks up its momentum, they get caught up in the thick of thin things. That is to say, minor things should not be majors in your life - fantasies should not command your diary this year.

The third principle is to learn to forget those things that are behind. Yes, past failures can be a wonderful teacher on how not to do it better next time.But, we should remember what the Swahili saying: spilled milk can not be scoped, recovered. “Most of us, usually focus on the past till we forget what lies a head of us,” said Pastor Ezra Okioma of Nairobi Central Seventh Day Adventist Church, in his new year message.Those people who dwell on the past become miserable and defeated in life.

Always learn to give yourself a new beginning. If it is a relationship that went sour – extend the heart of forgiveness to one another. If it's mistakes that have robbed your peace – ask forgiveness from the offended person. If it's sin that has strifled your joy – repent. “What has been forgiven by God is no longer a threat to you,” says Amico. If it's poor grades give your studies a new approach, time, devotion.

This principle of forgetting the past gives birth to the forth principle of “reaching forth unto those things which are before (a head).” Ask or watch the fastest man on the planet, Usain Bolt. His arms and legs rhythmically move back and forth, every stride reaching towards the finishing line.

Forgetting and reaching is the phenomenon exhibited by runners. “With every stride the runner forgets the mistakes and failure of yesterday and reaches forward to the opportunities and challenges of today. Each step is a step forward, not a step back,” reads The Quitting Point.

In one of the tomb of an Alpine guide are inscribed this words, “He died climbing.” That is he died while reaching up towards new heights. Resolutions should be fortified on the background of moving to another step from where we are – to improve on what we have began, to excel in our endeavors, and to attain something new, beyond our wildest dreams.

From Paul's counsel, the firth principle is real, especially after you have minted out your new year resolutions.”I press towards the mark,” he says. Excellence in anything or field – studies, marriage, business, art, sports, writing, entrepreneurship - requires much training and straining. You must be willing to sacrifice to pay the prize to realize your resolutions.

“There is no gain without pain,” said Vince Lombard – the great Green Bay Packer coach. If you are not going to put in your utmost potential in the tapestry of total sacrifice – expect no success. Yes, realizing your resolutions at the end of the year is a sweet souvenir but its secret is pressing on notwithstanding the amount of sweat ensuring.

New opportunities and challenges, dreams and goals, adventures and new horizons are ours to embrace as far as we are ready to press forward with an indefatigable attitude of settling for nothing other than our lofty goals. Your 2010 resolutions will be attainable as long as you are determined to press on against visible and invisible odds, discouragement and weariness; yes rest if you can but throughout the year press forward to realize your resolutions.

Remember that to give up, to quit, to compromise and concede in setting new year resolutions or not achieving them at the end of the year will cost more. “You will lose your your courage, your convictions, and your dignity,” says Amico. Victory should be yours notwithstanding the cost; in spite of all the terror; however, how long and hard the road (2010) maybe.