NEW YEAR NEW SOLUTION TO FAILED RESOLUTIONS

Much has been made in our culture about resolutions on the New Year. Each Jan. 1^st we set aside goals and proclamations that will make our lives better from the 1^st on. But to the disappointment of most and to the surprise of none, these resolutions tend to fall short around March or so…at least in my own experience. Whether it is weight loss or more kindness/patience or what have you many times we fall short of these lofty goals of which we have not had the chance to practice in December or any other prior month, making these goals somewhat unobtainable. We expect our bodies and minds to adapt to these goals and proclamations seamlessly changing our lives for the better and making our existence from then on to be fruitful and magical like a predictable Disney movie. Let us be REAL for a moment If I were to tell you that at this stage of my life I now resolve to dunk a basketball from the free throw line or make the professional ranks as an athlete I'd probable get several deserved side eyes. Or suppose I decided resolve to make a million dollars by year's end, again side eyes would not be unexpected. All this is to say that our hope and dreams and expectations on Jan 1^st or otherwise must be founded in realistic expectation, sprinkled with at least hints of possibility, and capped off with resolve. Too many of us create resolutions without even being resolved. When I was younger I was a one sport athlete (I know sports sports sports that's all he talks about…oh well life lesson learned so hear me out) I played baseball and practiced it with great resolve. But being black in America called me to at least find my way to the blacktop (I know stereotypical but probably the truth in most cases). Problem was I sucked…no like I was the worst player possible. Prime examples I use to get beat by neighborhood girls on a regular (not a knock on my sistas that hood, but ya'll know it shouldn't be if not we'll talk…) and the worst scenario was when my pops put up a goal in the backyard for me to play and kids would come to my OWN BACKYARD PLAY with my OWN BASKETBALL & not even pick me, It got so bad once they even asked if I could go get my Pops to play with them because they were short a player…ULTIMATE DISRESPECT and ULTIMATE CHUMP/HO/PUNK etc move on my part. But then I developed RESOLVE, I made a RESOLUTION, I said to myself If I put in the same work toward basketball that I did with baseball which I loved I know I would be able to at least beat the neighborhood girls and gain my respect back. With this NEW RESOLVE came sacrifice, TIME, ENERGY, SWEAT, etc. I stayed outside every day and shot hundreds of jump shots. I practiced no other part of my game just your old fashioned white boy in the corner jumper, and I became good at it. I had my spot on the court and I knew if given the chance I would know it down every time (possible delusion of grandeur but so what confidence nonetheless) I knew that this would at least get me picked, This attitude was confidence thru hard work and dedication toward realistic and small obtainable goals, no lofty aspiration to be the best on the block or have people notice how good I became…no just the self satisfaction that only comes with time and work. So what does this 10 year old story mean today? Well as I set at the threshold of what will undoubtedly be the most exciting and trying time of my life, I must remind myself of those times were I was a failure due to ignorance lack of experience, and hard work. I feel like this year will be the beginning of my new life, a more resolved existence, where my boy hood resolutions become manhood goals not gone but now having direction and more specific plateaus that will enable me to reach my potential. I'm reminded that it all starts with a start and ends where exhaustion begins so I cannot allow myself to feel the pressure but only rise to the occasion. And at the end of the day sleep well knowing that I remained resolved through it all. I've reached a point where that feeling is satisfactory because of the gifts God has given me. Satisfied not in the outcome because we must always work harder but in the idea that when I do my best because of who I am and WHO's I am there is something fruitful in my sweat. I don't need lofty expectations and pipe dreams on the first. Because of God's grace and hand in my life I KNOW my resolve will take me places that are far and above my own expectations, so in essence on this New Year My resolution is to remain resolved in every area of my life that I can control, NO QUIT in Me…knowing that what I want is obtainable when I am able to change perspective and focus on what's real and work from there as opposed to what isn't real.

LOFTY DREAMS SHOULD BE THE BEGINNING OF EVEN GREATER GOALS!