It’s been a year that none of us will easily forget, for many reasons. I’m so glad it’s over!
What will forever stay with me is the friendship, the camaraderie, and the support from people like you. I’d like to carry that over to 2022, if I may. I have a feeling I might need it.
We could all use a bit more togetherness and connection, don’t you think?
Conflict is the opposite of connection.
When people are feeling disconnected from each other and from this precious planet we live on, trouble starts.
We stop caring. We isolate ourselves, and we think life is all about us. We forget to see how things are all related. How we are all related. We don’t understand how one individual action could possibly impact the rest of us. For better or for worse.
We tell ourselves:
“What I do is not that important. It’s just me. How could I ever make a difference?”
I’m telling you:
Every day is a good day to make a positive difference, no matter how small.
Start with a smile. Pay someone a compliment. Hold the door open. Be kind, patient, and encouraging. Understand before trying to be understood. Get vaccinated. Leave a big tip. Donate to a deserving cause. Volunteer. Be nicer to yourself. Make this place a better world.
You don’t need a new year or some kind of resolution to begin becoming a more thoughtful, helpful, and appreciative person. That person already lives inside of you, waiting to come out. In fact, what’s keeping you?
Every change starts with a decision, followed by immediate action. To make it even more powerful, you’ve got to show the world you mean it. TODAY!
Intentions are for dreamers. Actions are for doers. Life rewards action, not intention.
So, if there’s something important you’ve been putting off for a while, or there’s something you need to say to someone but haven’t… NOW is the time to do it!
NOW is all you’ll ever have.
Happy Now Year!
To quote Galadriel, “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” Amen! Thank you Pastor Paul – keep on preachin’! I appreciate you and wish you massive blessing in 2022.
You’ve got it: love.
Wherever you are in the world, there’s plenty to speak up for: trans kids, disabled people and chronically ill people, immigrants, the poor, the intellectually challenged, the abused…
I try to do my bit rather than let comments slide – but without turning into one of the haters.
It’s a constant job – scapegoating seems to have turned into (or is just so much more visible) a national pastime.
Behave yourself – don’t judge others.
Be kind.
Paul, great words of wisdom. As always. Very inspirational and right on the mark for times like these. Love it! You, my friend, should’ve gone into the ministry!
Key take away…
“Life rewards action, not intention”
-Paul Strikwerda
Thank you, Paul, as always, for your thoughtful, wise and empathetic observations.
Better said that I could have. Have an poutstanding 2022!!!
Thank you for this! Blessed 2022!