Happy New Year, dear friends! How is your new year going? Did you start the year with a sense of excitement and purpose or was it just another day for you?

My Reflections on the Past Year

For myself, I was excited to start the new year. While deeper reflection on the past year yields insight into personal growth, overall I view my own 2024 as somewhat lackluster. That being the case, I was extra appreciative of the symbolic and ritualistic opportunity that January 1, 2025, presented to turn the page, leave the lackluster behind, and enter the new year with renewal, intention, and excitement.

Admittedly any day can be the start of something new, and other markers of change can set a similar tone, such as moving into a new house or starting a new job or simply waking up one morning and deciding to make a change. I embrace all of these opportunities to “wipe the slate clean” and begin again with renewed optimism and motivation.

Starting Fresh for 2025

My husband and I gave ourselves a New Year’s Gift this year: We deep-cleaned our house – a physical reflection of the spiritual, mental, and emotional renewal I am feeling. This helped tremendously. Our house feels as fresh and clean as my mindset. I highly recommend!

I also took the opportunity to reflect and refocus on the Woman I am becoming. I believe each one of us is exceptionally and uniquely designed, and that we are placed on this planet at a specific time and place for a specific purpose. Our talents are uniquely suited for the accomplishment of this special mission, should we choose to accept it. It is my belief that we feel most alive when we live in alignment with that divine purpose.

Questions to Ask in 2025:

Good questions to ask at the start of this quarter century: What are my unique gifts and talents? What do my unique gifts and talents reveal about my purpose? Who do I envision myself becoming? What qualities does this Person possess? What opportunities for growth do I most want to embrace in 2025?

Final Thoughts:

Today is the second Friday of the year, a day called by some “Quitter’s Day” to denote the point of the supposed abandonment of new year “resolutions” by some. My hope for you, however, is that you accomplish what you set out to accomplish this year, that you consider the direction of your life and the direction of the coming year and that you chart a course, realizing that your destination might turn out to be different in the end. I like the sentiment in the song that goes: Hold on loosely, but don’t let go. I interpret that to mean: Hold onto the deeper desire, but be prepared for it to be fulfilled a little differently than you might have imagined.

Cheers to the New Year!

Kate

As we journey through life, it’s natural to look back on the past: to pause for a moment, sift through the memories, and reflect on the experiences that have shaped us. The past is like an old photo album, full of images, emotions, and moments that can either fill us with warmth or weigh us down with regret. But what happens when we find ourselves looking back too often? How do we balance honoring the past with the need to move forward into the future?

The Power of Reflection

Reflection is a powerful tool. It allows us to learn from the mistakes we’ve made, appreciate the lessons we’ve learned, and recognize how far we’ve come. Without it, we risk repeating the same patterns or overlooking the growth that has occurred over time. Reflection offers us a chance to grow in wisdom and understand our journey on a deeper level. It’s where we find clarity about who we are and what truly matters.

The Risk of Getting Stuck

But while looking back can be a source of growth, there’s also a risk of getting stuck in the past. When we constantly replay old memories, clinging to them as if they define us, we can lose sight of the future that’s waiting to unfold. The past is behind us. It’s not something we can change. And sometimes, our obsession with the past—whether due to regrets, unresolved emotions, or longing for “better days”—can prevent us from fully embracing the present and all the opportunities it holds.

Just like Lot’s wife in the Bible, who turned into a pillar of salt when she looked back at the city she was leaving behind, we too can become frozen in time if we focus too much on what was rather than what is. The present moment, after all, is the only time we truly have the power to shape.

Learning from the Past Without Living in It

How can we look back on the past without getting trapped in it? It’s about changing perspective. Instead of letting memories hold us captive, we can choose to view them as stepping stones: lessons or experiences that have shaped us. We are who we are today because of these experiences – both the good and the bad.

If the past is filled with regret, it might be time to forgive yourself. If it’s filled with sorrow, allow yourself to grieve and indulge in some extra-cozy moments, find comfort in loved-ones, and allow yourself to gently accept the change in life – not to forget, but to find peace.If it’s filled with joy, cherish those moments without letting them prevent you from making new memories.

Moving Forward: The Power of Letting Go

At some point, we must choose to leave the past behind us—not out of disregard or forgetting, but out of a conscious decision to honor it by living fully in the present. The past, while formative, is not the destination—it’s just part of the journey.

So, how do we move forward? By focusing on the now. By setting intentions for the future. By making peace with the past and letting it fuel our growth instead of holding us back. By learning from our mistakes, celebrating our victories, and building new memories that will shape who we become.

Every day is a chance to rewrite our story, to choose new paths, and to embrace the possibilities that await us. “His mercies are new every morning” (Lam 3:23). It is the present moment where the magic happens.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Become a Pillar of Salt!

Every moment stuck in a place of regret, resentment, guilt, or anguish transforms us into a pillar of salt and prevents us from moving into a present and future of joy and peace. The past is a foundation, not a prison.

So, as we look to the New Year, let our focus be on the present and on the future — let’s get excited about where we’re going.

Here’s to moving forward—one step at a time.

Kate