At some point, many of us felt this challenging year would never come to an end, but here we are in December, with a few more days to the end of a year that has been epic, unprecedented and totally disruptive. Be that as it may, this unique year can still end on a victorious note for us. Here, I’ll share four tips that can help us have a fulfilling year-end, and a triumphant entry into 2021.
TIP NUMBER 1: TAKE A GRATITUDE INVENTORY
I know. It’s been a tough year. Maybe you (or someone you know) lost a job, something or someone dear, or had to battle health issues this year. The pain is real, and you may still be hurting. I pray healing and comfort for every ailing body and grieving heart. Regardless of prevailing circumstances, there is always still something we can be grateful for. Let’s deliberately look out for those things and focus on them. Are you alive and well? Be grateful for the gift of life and good health. You are surrounded by family and friends? Thank God for them. Do you have a sound mind, a roof over your head, food in the refrigerator, a job/business that pays your bills? These are blessings that call for a heart of gratitude. While we may not be where we want to be at the moment, still, we are blessed beyond measure. For that, let us be grateful.
TIP NUMBER 2: TAKE A HONEST SELF-EVALUATION
Even as we express gratitude for our journeys thus far, we need to make out time for reflection and self-evaluation. Now is the time to take out our journal, look at all the goals we set for this year, evaluate the degree of progress we made on each goal, identify the roadblocks that hindered us from making even more progress and draw up action plans for greater success in 2021.What gets evaluated would most likely get improved upon. So sit down with yourself and answer with all honesty these questions: ‘‘how did I fare in 2020? What will I do better, or do differently to achieve better results in 2021?”
TIP NUMBER 3: MORE THAN EVER BEFORE, LEAN IN ON GOD AND HIS WORD
As one year ends and another is about to begin, this is the season to press into God and receive his blueprint for our lives in the coming year and the gradually unfolding decade. 2020 has shown us that the times we are in are volatile. To thrive in the days ahead, we need uncommon wisdom, profound peace and divinely-inspired strategies. These and many other weapons of victory, God is ready to release to us, if only we will carve out time to be with Him, listen to Him, learn at His feet, hold on to His word and run with the vision He lays on our hearts. At a time like this, we cannot afford to be laidback in our relationship with Him.
TIP NUMBER 4: ENJOY THE SEASON, BUT GUARD AGAINST EXCESSES
We all love to let our hair down and really enjoy ourselves at Christmas. I’m all for having fun and enjoying the season, but please remember that balance is key, even in a festive season. Do not overspend (Salary earners, remember that January has sixty days in it! Lol); neither should you eat and drink to stupor. Simply put, do not set your pocket, your body and your mind up for hardships and regrets in January and beyond.
It’s good to be alive to see the end of a year as wonderful as 2020! I pray God gives us a joyful December, and a new year with a beautiful start and a fulfilling 12-month adventure.
Shalom.