An Optimistic Cynic in the New Year

I don't do New Year's Eve. What I mean by that is I don't stay up 'til twelve, I don't participate in the countdown as the bell tolls and I don't shout "woot woot" when the clock strikes midnight. And it's not that I'm against having fun and celebrating and getting excited. I'm not against any of that at all. But I am getting older, it's past my bedtime (I'm almost always asleep by nine~I'm a morning person~check out the date stamp on this post) and quite frankly, it's just a change on the calendar after all ~ December 31st to January 1st, isn't it? All cynics (me) and cynicism aside (not), there are a number of superstitions associated with New Year's and New Year's Eve that I was considering recently. (Thanks to "In Season" December Real Estate mailer.) You may have heard of some of these:

(1) Starting out the New Year with your cupboards full, bills paid and debts settled is said to guarantee prosperity and riches. (I'll use my credit card for the food?)

(2) Schedule a friend to drop by with a gift so that you're adding (versus subtracting) from your household. (This will "guarantee" prosperity and riches just in case #1 doesn't work?)

(3) Eat beans (contributing to global warming?), black-eyed peas and lentils (wasn't that a movie?) to attract good luck.

(4) At midnight on New Year's Eve shriek, shout and scream to rid yourself of the evil spirits that are around. (Don't you know the devil scares that easily?)

I share these superstitions (and in a cynical sort of way) to point out the foolishness of belief in them versus trusting in God. He alone controls the future. He alone moves history according to His desire and plan. He alone has power over demonic forces. (It's enough to make a cynic optimistic!) You don't need to shriek, shout and scream. You don't need to eat beans, black-eyed peas and lentils. (Who likes that stuff any way?) You don't need to set up a friend to bring you a gift. Neither do you need to charge your credit card to fill the cupboards. You just need to place your faith in Jesus and His Word in 2010. And everything will be okay. And everything will turn out right. Who needs to hear it?

"'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'" (Jeremiah 29:11)

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Moving Forward by Looking Back

And so here we are with another year gone by the wayside. And, if anything, we have another chance for evaluation. And so to begin with, where does 2007 rank in your life experience? I mean, on a scale of one to ten (ten being the best and one being the worst) how do you see 2007 in areas like career, relationships, personal development, etc.? And maybe it was a five in career for you and six in relationships and a six and a half in personal development. And maybe the five in the career area - it wasn’t so much your fault as it was a lot of things took place that were beyond your control. And maybe the six in relationships – well, you see, in 2006 you had a one in that area so you’ve been improving big time. Do you see any areas of improvement in your life where you know you were going in the wrong direction, but now, at least you’re going in the right direction? And then what about the area of attitude? How’s your attitude on a scale of one to ten? And I think I heard somebody say somewhere, “Attitude is everything.” And no matter what the New Year may bring, if we can have a positive attitude, I think it’s half the battle. With this in mind I’ve included some quotes on attitude that I thought you might appreciate. May they help point you in the positive direction in 2008.

Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats. ~Voltaire

I had the blues because I had no shoes until upon the street, I met a man who had no feet. ~Ancient Persian Saying

Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples, don't count on harvesting Golden Delicious. ~Bill Meyer

Defeat is not bitter unless you swallow it. ~Joe Clark

Work is either fun or drudgery. It depends on your attitude. I like fun. ~Colleen C. Barrett

Always look at what you have left. Never look at what you have lost. ~Robert H. Schuller

An optimist is a person who sees a green light everywhere; while a pessimist sees only the red stop light. The truly wise person is color blind. ~Dr. Albert Schweitzer

Finally . . . whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ~Philippians 4:8

(Quotes gleaned from the following websites: Quote Garden, Wisdom Quotes, Inspirational Quotes and BibleGateway.)