Commentaries by Cynthia

(This was written several years ago. While I still believe in these words, I've since come to realize that forgiveness isn't something you can force yourself to do. You can only decide to be willing to forgive and then turn the rest over to God or your Higher Power.)

It may be just another date on the calendar to some, but New Year's has always been one of my favorite holidays.

It signifies the end of the busy Holiday Season, enabling me to relax again. At last, I can stop worrying about the extra cooking and cleaning, the running to and fro, the scheduling, the shopping, and the wrapping and sometimes returning of gifts.

The kids go back to school and the office becomes fully staffed again. Traffic is no longer backed up and getting in and out of places like the bank or the post office become much quicker. Even my diet improves, since I'm no longer tempted by holiday snacks and feasts that leave me feeling guilty and sluggish for days afterward.

Notwithstanding the reasons mentioned, I mostly like New Year's because it represents a fresh start for everyone. On this one day, I believe hope can be found almost everywhere, even in the soul who silently chants, "This year can be better. I can make it so."

It's a day of reflecting and resolving; a day of coming to terms with others and ourselves. We look back at our successes of the year and feel proud of our accomplishments and blessings. We also look back at our failures and disappointments and vow to learn from our mistakes before trying it again next time.

Regardless of whether we actually make a resolution, we at least briefly consider areas in which we could make improvements. We think about our health. We think about our relationships. We think about our finances. We think about our dreams. New Year's grants us the permission to ponder our place in the world, something we rarely take the time to do otherwise.

New Year's can also be a time of forgiving, of letting-go. We don't have to carry unwanted baggage from one year to the next. If we keep only the lessons learned, we can leave everything else behind. We can wish our adversaries well, knowing we are somehow stronger and wiser for having met them. We will then have a peace in our spirits that only forgiveness provides.

In this the beginning of another year, I simply plan to do my best. Sure, there will be days when my best is only mediocre and days when I manage everything almost perfectly. As long as I'm doing the best that I can, how can I expect anymore of myself?

Whatever goal or dream beckons you on this New Year's Day, I hope it renews your spirit and renders your heart complete.