By Steve Gahagen

The beginning of a new year is marked with celebrations. There are parties all across the world, one of the most famous in Times Square. And despite not knowing whether a new year will bring us blessing or tragedy, we throw a party. I saw a meme this week highlighting the unknown of a new year saying, “Me calling God to make sure I signed up for the blessed and highly favored and not the trials and tribulation package for 2024.”

Heading into 2020 we didn’t see what was coming. With the emergence of COVID, distrust of politicians, and other cultural issues, we might have lost some of that optimism - yet there are parties.

Regardless of optimism or pessimism, a new year is a natural time to reset. We desire something new, something better. To imagine different possibilities is unique to our species. Our pets are not thinking about how they can have a better year - have access to more healthy dog food, do a better job sitting on command, a few less accidents in the house.

There is a tradition of making new year’s resolutions. A resolution is a decision to incorporate something new into our lives or get rid of something old.  A resolution is usually about making a better version of ourselves. How can I be a slimmer me, a stronger me, an out of debt me, a more organized me, a more spiritual me, a more generous me? And the list can go on and on. 

What if, instead of making a resolution about becoming a better version of us, our focus was on making everything and everyone around us better? When we at Play to Your Strengths work with young people, we help them see that one of the best ways they can learn about their talents is through serving others. It not only allows them to leverage their strengths, they also get the extra endorphin charge from expressing love and generosity to others. 

If we resolved to breathe life into others and bring positive change to the world, we would undoubtedly become a better version of us at the same time. 

Questions to Consider:

• What could you resolve to do to make the world a better place?

• How could you leverage your strengths to encourage others to become their best?

• What daily practices or habits would make you more life-giving to the people around you?