WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT THE 1ST OF JANUARY...?

Most of us believe that the 1st of january is special (being the first day of the year) and should thus open the doors for the beginning of new/fresh things. We expect that God (if we are christians) would begin something new on that day and some of us even go as far as programming ourselves to start a new thing - what we call a 'resolution'. But I've always wondered; is this not a misconception?

I understand the rationale behind the Xmas celebration (not totally sha) but whats so special about the first of january? Why should God have to wait till the first of January before he begins something new (at least, that's what most of us believe)? Why is it that in our churches, it is only on that day that we recieve bucket load of prophecies? Why should our budget and goals begin on the 1st of january? Why should our own resolutions begin on that day? More interesting is the fact that most parents become conscious of their ward's welfare (clothes and good food) during that period.

It is imperative that we begin to review this ideology or else we would continue to miss all the 'new' ideas, opportunities and resources that happen to come our way every other day apart from the Ist of january. For instance, most of us (christians) fail to ask God for a new beginnin or direction unless it is the first day of the year even when He is ready to begin one immediately. He speaks all the time but we fail to listen cos we hope to hear and receive them (prophecies) on that day. Even when we fail in our resolutions, we wait for another new year to start afresh.

A friend (not really friend sha) of mine wanted to stop smoking 2 years ago and made a resolution to that effect. After staying clean from january till march, he went to a party in april and ...smoked! He was really really disappointed at himself but I told him not to be and encouraged him to continue his resolution after the let down. He refused, claiming that the year had been dented and he would have to wait for another year. He smoked till the end of that year. The same thing happened when he made the new resolution. Today, he is still smoking.

We have also allowed this mentality creep into other aspects of our lives. For example, in our businesses, we wait till the beginning of a new year to set new goals, plans and objectives. What is wrong with february, march, or november? That is how we miss business opportunities to right thinking competitors cos we were waiting for the almighty january! Sometimes, even when we fail to implement these plans to a reasonable degree, we quickly push them aside and set new ones once we hear 'happy new year'!

Please dont get me wrong here; the beginning of the new year is important and I'm not disputing that. It is not bad to start something new or give presents and celebrate. Even the prophecies we receive on that day should not be taken lightly. But we should not make it a tradition so much as to loose focus on what needs to be done at a particular point in time. Why should you wait for a new year to make your resolution? Who made that rule?

My point is this: the newness of the year should not stop you from doing something new at every other time of the year. If you want a new direction from God, start praying now! If your child needs a new dress and you can afford it, why not give it to him now! If you want to stop a 'good' habit and start a 'bad' one, just make that resolution now! And of course, in your business, if you are eyeing growth, I'll advice you to set the targets now! Like I said before, the 1st of january is special (and i'm gonna celebrate it), but it should not stop us from doing what we have to do every other day...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL. MAY 2013 BRING OUT THE BEST IN ALL OF US.