A new year has come along. It’s a time when we celebrate life in its fullness in whatever ways we decide to. We may opt to attend a church service, giving thanks to God. Some people may watch fireworks and share pleasantries at parties with popped champagne. Others may curl up in a warm, cozy bed. 

It’s also a time to reflect on the happenings of the past year. Certainly, each year comes with its own quests, successes, and challenges. This past year was no exception. Many have hit their weight goals, got that new, sustainable job, graduated from school with honours, bought a new house, started therapy, and much more. Hearts beam with joy and pride as we look over what we have done. In the same breath, while reflecting I guarantee many folks who are grateful for life have regrets of what didn’t happen in the past. 

I am one of those many folks.

There are some objectives I set to accomplish and they all fell on the ash heap of ill health and misfortune. Many things I wanted for myself were side-swiped by life, as it were. Blogging was one of those things. The cogs in my mind kept turning as I mulled over what went wrong and what I could have changed. I know I am an overachiever at times, but it still hurts because these things mattered to me. They still do.

When reflecting on the ups and downs experienced in life, I had a revelation: I’m here. Yes, I achieved much. Yes, I messed up a lot. Nevertheless, I am still here. I am present – now. Being present gives me another opportunity to after what I want and/or need. I am not a lost cause, nor are the objectives futile. I just need to reset, reframe and retry. Those Rs sound like sermon points. So, let me expound further.

Resetting means starting over. I know this is a scary thought, but sometimes it’s best to step back and start again. Reframing refers to changing plans because the old execution methods did not work as intended. It also means adjusting perspectives and how the plans are viewed. Retrying suggests going again with new plans and perspectives. The objective remains the same, but how to get to the end goal is different. 

The fact that I get one more chance to do what I desire makes me grateful and a little more hopeful. There is an opportunity to love, create, be my best self, build, share, laugh, take losses and learn in the here and now. May I never squander the gift that’s given, and I hope and pray that’s the same for you.

^{Photo by “Joel” Tucker (IG: @jo_media_)}