The Dawn of a New Year

Finding your big "WHY" and uncovered desires help get us unstuck!

Photo by Eilis Garvey on Unsplash

Are you a resolution kind of person? Do you make resolutions—new commitments; new goals; renewed desires? They work for some of us. Start exercising. Be a better friend. Lose 10 pounds by Easter—that kind of thing.

For many of us, resolutions make us tired—even before we are out of the gate of a brand new year.

I think a more soulful way of beginning again is in looking at our desires. Desires are hooked to the big WHY of our lives. Desires, when unearthed help us to uncover what we really want in life—and why?

If I WANT to be healthy—then I can ask myself this: “What do I really WANT when I look at the menu? Health or that piece of cake? Do I want more ice cream or do I really WANT to lose some weight. I’ve found, too be perfectly honest, that his kind of re-wiring really helps me mentally to make healthy choices.

When I understand my desires—then I can more comprehend my soul—that place where all desires are rooted. The soul is the place where our “Why” resides. The “Why” is linked most closely, to my desires. Here’s a way I work it through to give you an example:

I want to be healthy.

Why?

So I can enjoy my life.

Why?

Because I want to be able to move, walk, bike, hike and feel my life inside me while I can.

Why?

Because I still have years ahead of me—time to live; time to enjoy friends; time to hike into the woods; time to experience God’s peace and glory in the Great Outdoors.

When we find our “why” then we find a motivation that is hitched to reality and soul. It’s like a statement of permission we need to finally get unstuck and start moving in a new direction.

Here’s another attempt:

I want to lose some weight.

Why?

So I will feel better; look better and fit into my clothes.

Why?

I’m tired of feeling tired; giving into fatigue and giving up.

Why?

Because I have found comfort in cookies and peace in a bowl of ice cream?

Why?

Because it’s easier to eat a cookie than go to the gym.

Why?

Because I am either lazy or too tired to care any more. Maybe both.

Why?

Because I feel giving up is easier than mustering the strength to say “No” to the cookie.

Why?

Because I feel lonely—a little depressed and riddled with anxiety, if the truth is known.

Why?

Because I thought the holidays would be different from what they were.

Why?

Because I keep holding onto illusions rather than the truth that can set me free.

The beginning of a New Year is an ideal time to do some introspection—a little inner work to reflect back and to dig through the layers of all the ways, we may have messed up this year. I’ve written THE GREAT ANNUAL EXAMEN as an exercise of looking backwards in order to move forward. It’s divided into 5 core areas of our soul: Our emotional life; our vocational life; our physical life; our relational life and our spiritual life. In each section—the questions help you to excavate your big why—your covered up desires. Here’s the link to download it! Go ahead and get started now. Don’t wait any longer.

I wrote a poem about facing a New Year—a new beginning. It’s a poem I’ve tweaked a few dozen times and I’ve done that again here to keep it fresh in words and heart. Take a look at it and see if there’s a line or phrase that hits you in the heart. If so, please leave the phrase or sentence in a comment so we can all enjoy how this particular poem finds its place in our lives now.

My poems are written and posted here for those who take an extra step and becoming a supporter of my work and ministry. Substack has become the primary way I am posting these days. Please become a “Paid subscriber” and in doing so, you’ll get the whole plethora of my writing and posts. If, you can’t do that right now, then just email me at info@pottersinn.com and express your desire. I’ll add you, no questions asked.

Thank you for walking with me—for offering me your companionship this past year.

All blessings as we walk forward!

Steve