IF we consider each day to be the start of the rest of our lives, then how much more momentous is a day such as today, which marks the beginning of a brand-new chapter in our lives.
As we reflect on the past year, with its triumphs, disappointments, laughter and tears, we look forward to the new year and all the promise it holds.

Many of us, acknowledging that much of what happens stems from the actions we take, make new year resolutions aimed at improving our outlook. We resolve to do better and be better.
But then we are told that we must set definite goals that we want to achieve because being vague simply allows us to avoid any significant change. Setting particular targets requires more thought, less talk and in some instances establishing a timeline.

The extent to which we do this is very often an indication of how serious we are in our resolve and determines how successful we will be in getting positive results. Our goals should also be attainable and realistic, otherwise failure is certain.
A cigarette smoker may decide to give up smoking in the new year. However, planning how this will actually be done – by gradual reduction daily/weekly, with a target date in mind – is likely to yield greater success than just declaring, ‘Ah gun stop smoke this year’.

Once our resolve is set then there should be no turning back, for the very nature of a resolution is an intent to, as Nike says, ‘Just do it’, but we can allow ourselves a certain flexibility, so that if we ‘fall short’ we forgive ourselves and resume the process with renewed vigour. We ‘get back on the horse’.
We can decide on small improvements that will make us feel happier about ourselves. It may be the simple challenge of going for a short walk each morning, or just taking control of our thoughts by daily positive affirmations.

Of one thing we can be sure. The time to start making a positive change is now. For tomorrow is promised to no one, but we can determine what we do today.
We can make the choice to be happy and so ensure our mental wellness. We can eat a more nutritious meal and make the first move towards a healthier diet. We can take some time for ourselves – meditate or just sit quietly and breathe deeply.

We can do all of this right now, although it may be easier for us to put it off, telling ourselves, ‘Ah gun start all a duh tomorrow’.
Those of us who have lost loved ones in the past year surely know the truth in the saying, ‘Tomorrow never comes’. There is no guarantee.

I remember fondly the last exchange I had with my son who died last year. He urged me to carry an umbrella against the sun – something I rarely did- and asked me if I had my phone which I often forgot and had indeed forgotten that day too, as I was about to leave the house. It was our ‘standing’ joke and we both laughed and hugged, not knowing that that would be our last moment together.

What I do know, more clearly than ever before, is that what matters is the present. If you want to do a kind deed or say a kind word to someone, do it now, if at all possible. Whatever it is you wanted to do in the past year and did not get around to doing – get going now. Make some move, however small, to ‘set the wheels in motion’.

And bear in mind the words of actor, Michael O’Neill, of Transformers and Grey’s Anatomy fame, who said: “It does no good to worry about what may or may not happen tomorrow; nor does it do any good whatsoever to dwell on mistakes you might have made in the past. We can only learn from past mistakes and modify future behaviour for the better. The only day that matter is the one before you. Today.”