Well, better late than never. Happy New Year from A Little Happy!
Don’t you just love all the optimism surrounding a new year? A fresh page. A new start. And my favorite, a “365 page book waiting to be written.”
It’s all very inspiring, and I do believe we should celebrate each new year. But what happens when you play along, only to find yourself disappointed when this “new year” is really just an extension of the year before. And the year before that?
That’s sometimes how I feel about a new year. I know, I know, this isn’t very “happy” thinking, but it’s true. And if it’s true for me, I bet it’s true for at least one of you.
I try to be festive, and even consider making a resolution or two. But the realist in me takes over and I think, “Why bother. It is literally just another day in the life.”
So what’s the good news? Where’s A Little Happy’s hallmark silver lining? It’s that “another day in the life” is a wonderful gift. Mundane? Usually. Tough? Sometimes. But a gift? Always.
Right now there are families fighting for just one more day, or at the very least a better day. When I stop whining long enough to realize the blessing it is to endure “just another day in the life,” I’m able to sing praises to God for those days instead of shake my fist at Him for the small trials.
I’m not attempting to minimize the pain and discomfort that even small trials can bring us, because these prove we are all in an uphill battle this side of heaven. But I am trying more and more to put my pain and discomfort in proper perspective. After all, if I let my trials consume me, what do I have left to offer others?
I’m not sure what your “day in the life” looks like right now. Perhaps you’re in a very hard place, or perhaps you’ve just received wonderful news to begin your new year. Either way, I hope God’s mercy and grace are with you as you unwrap the gift of another day.
A Little Happy 
Thank you for putting this out there. We forget how valuable our random thoughts can be to others.
Thanks!
I love the perspective of what a gift each day is, especially in the midst of trials and difficulties.
I like looking at the new year as a chance to decide who I want to be in the coming year. More than resolutions of what I’ll do differently, but decide who I want to be and what I want my life to be for the year and set on the course of creating that. This was a really encouraging article about that: http://blog.ted.com/2014/01/08/the-science-of-willpower-kelly-mcgonigal-on-why-its-so-dang-hard-to-stick-to-a-resolution/
Loved the post. We have all had our trials. 2013 was a very tough year for me and there are days that are still very hard “But” I have tried hard to starting focusing on the positives, the blessings of all. I am so thankful that I am a Christian and God carried me through this difficult time, I am thankful that I (we) had so many friends that were there for us and still check on me. There are those in the world that go through so many hardships by themselves, some by choice; others not. I am so blessed and I hope that the future holds times that I can encourage those that face difficult times. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for Mike and I in our ministry this year. 🙂
Your faith is rock-solid, Mrs. Donna. Love you!
Just a little late reading…but it’s always timely! ❤ God knows what He's doing when I get to things a month and a half later 😉
Love you!!