Three Keys to Happiness for 2013
The New Year is now well under way. Hopefully, it has been and will continue to be a happy New Year for you. Our attitudes, however, have a great impact on our happiness. We cannot always change our circumstances, but we can change our attitudes. The following are three keys you can use throughout the year to help you keep a positive attitude.
The first key is “Accept.” While beginning a new year, we are reminded that another year has passed. The past year may have presented some challenges or changes which have been hard for you to accept. You may have lost a job, experienced financial problems, or lost a loved-one. You may have wasted time worrying about things which never happened, and now you regret that you wasted precious time. You may have failed morally and engaged in sinful behavior that has damaged your reputation, your self-esteem, and has embarrassed you.
I suppose we could all think of some things we would like to change about the past year, but that simply is not possible. The past is gone forever. Whatever losses, failures, or changes we experienced, we must now learn to accept. Paul wrote, “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” (Philippians 3:13-14). Paul did not live in the past; neither should we. Some things we must accept. “The Serenity Prayer” reminds us: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
The next key is “Adjust.” If within the past year, you did fail, experience losses, or go through a major change, what are some areas in which you need to adjust your life? Do you need to give up a sinful habit? Do you want to be a better spouse? Do you want to learn more about God and His will for your life? Then, why not write down some specific, realistic goals and begin working to achieve them? God desires His people to grow: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18). The New Year has so much potential for growth and positive change.
The third key is “Appreciate.” Yesterday is gone; tomorrow is not yet here; but we do have today. It will only be “today” for a short time, so let’s make the most of it and appreciate it. Each day is a new beginning with great potential. The psalmist wrote, “Teach us to number our days” (Psalm 90:12). In other words, make the most of each day. Today is the first day of the rest of your life! That makes today special!
Remember the three keys: Accept, Adjust, and Appreciate!
