As the old year passes and we welcome a new year, so comes resolutions - to do something and to change something. What if, like Scrooge, we could make all the bad things go away and start with a brand-new clean slate? What things would you do differently in your life given the knowledge of those things that you have done? What would be things that you would change to either forget or better yourself? These, decisions that we make for change are resolutions, or goals.... When we hear the word Scrooge, what do we think of? We probably think of a "miserly person" - that's even the way the dictionary defines it. We probably don't think of "a person who once was miserly but who, when given a second chance, chose to reform his life and share his wealth with those less fortunate. " everyone knows how wonderfully Scrooges story ends, but his name has forever entered our consciousness (and our dictionary) as the embodiment of what he once was - not what he ultimately became.
The world, as I remember it some 20 - no, even some 10 years has changed drastically. Some for the good, but many for the bad. No matter your ideals or convictions, I think we can all agree to this fact. But if we constantly dwell on those things in the past, without looking forward - we can become angry, upset, jealous, and unwilling to accept there are better things on the horizons. Yes, Scrooge was afforded a new lease on life, and he (in the musical) sang:
What a marvelous resolution and goal for each of us! We need to throw away the not so good things in our past lives - not that we don't learn from them. But we don't dwell on them. We can build our futures from past errors. We can choose ignore those things which don't make us happy, or bring us true joy.I'll begin againI will build my lifeI will live to knowI fulfilled my lifeI'll begin todayThrow away the pastAnd the future I buildWill be something that will lastI will take the timeThat I have left to liveAnd I'll give it allThat I have left to giveI will live my daysFor my fellow menAnd I'll live in praiseOf that moment whenI was able to begin againI'll begin againI will change my fateI will show the worldThat it is not too lateI will never stopWhile I still have time'Till I stand at the topOf the mountain I must climbI will start anewI will make amendsAnd I will make quite certainThat the story endsOn a note of hopeOn a strong amenAnd I'll thank the worldAnd remember whenI was able to begin againI'll begin again!
Scrooge asked the ghost if it was too late for him. Too late for him to change things. We don't know when we will draw our final breath and our Heavenly Father will call us home, so living each day as if it was the last has merit; our attitudes change with this thought in mind.
We, actually can and have had several new beginnings in our lives if we stop to think about them. We, who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have all entered into the waters of baptism. There, we were washed of all the things we have done prior. We all slip and fall, but thanks to the wonderful gift our Savior has given us, through repentance we can begin anew also.
So as we embark on a new year, let us look to our Savior for our needs. Let us look at His life, how He interacted with the people. His message is of love, and hope. His first and second great commandments, as well as all other commandments are still very much in force today - Love The Lord, and love our neighbors as ourselves. Nowhere is it mentioned to judge, point fingers of scorn, exclude another due to their lifestyle. Just simply to love each other.
And lest we forget, our Savior made all this possible for us through His willingness to obey His Fathers' will. And that we can all begin anew on our eternal progression. Happy 2014 from ldshappy!
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