THE BEGINNING

New Year’s is approaching, and New Year’s Resolutions will follow. Giving up a vice: smoking, drinking or gambling; doing something new: relocating to a new area; obtaining a degree; or becoming a better you: by losing weight; eating better; or starting an exercise regime. Whatever the task or choice, there will always be a beginning, middle and an end.

In the beginning, it’s easy to verbalize a change will be made in your life. You are enthusiastic. You tell your friends and family. You may post it, on social media. You are greeted with fanfare, accolades, people cheering you on. You are elated, at the attention. You begin to prepare. You march forward with firm dedication, like a soldier marching off to war.

Solders go through basic training to physically prepare them for what is to come. However, once the war is started, seeing the death, the casualties and the terrors of war, all while fighting in the war, their way of thinking becomes a challenge. Because for many, they are physically prepared, but not mentally or emotionally prepared for war.

The same goes for resolutions or a change of life. You go in for the physical battle, but you may not be ready for the mental part.

For example, you announced that you are going to quit smoking. Saying the words is easy, until the nicotine cravings hit you like a stab in the chest. Then all the withdrawal symptoms: fatigue, increased hunger, irritability, headaches, mood swings, drops on you like a stack of bricks. You are in the war. What do you do?

With any resolution or yearning for change, you must start with a positive strong mindset. Mindset is a particular way of thing. If you are positive, you are aimed toward success. If your mindset is negative, defeat is around the corner.

Change the way you think, you will change your words attitudes and behaviors.

What are some things that can alter a positive mindset?

• Pride: You feel good about an idea. You feel validated when people praise you on the chosen goal. It lifts you up. Pride breeds stubbornness, thinking you can achieve things, without help. Thinking you don’t need God. Thinking you have all the answers. Because you said it, it would just happen, without struggle.
• Impatience: Wanting results now. Unwilling to wait for an outcome,
• Comfort and convenience, the big C’s. If things are easy, little effort is needed, and it is pain free, then its ok. Everything is fine, if you are not pushed out of your comfort zone. Your comfort zone is a place of confidence, if pushed into unknown territories, insecurities arise, and self-doubt prevails. And, often the goal is abandoned.

Words can be productive or destructive. As the saying goes, Talk is cheap. If you are going to talk the talk, then you must walk the walk. It is easy to say something, but it is harder to put those words into action.

How do you get a get a positive mindset?

The H.A.R.D approach is going to be used to obtain a positive mindset. These techniques can be used in all areas of your life. Humility. Allowance. Renew. Diligence.

• Humility- is the opposite of pride. It is the state of being humble. Humility has been mistaken for weakness or fear? Humble yourself to God, and not man. When you humble yourself to God, He will assist you to obtain a different spirit. Pride puts you under the illusion you don’t need God, you can do it all by yourself. Self-effort will only get you so far.
• Allowance of time Allow time for the project to be completed. Allow time to regroup if any obstacle emerges. Allow time to rethink if it did not work out. Allow time to rethink another strategy. 
• Renew your way with God. Renew your mind with positive energy. He will assist you in keeping your mindset positive. If your positive mindset begins to waver, God will alert you and instruct you how to get back on track. But you must listen and obey His instructions.
• Diligence- Steady effort. Preserving application. Continue to try even when it’s hard.  Efforts must continue when failures and opposition come.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. ⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. ⁷ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. Proverbs 3:5-7 King James Version (KJV)

It is great to have big goals and big plans. With great plans, there will be great wars. Learn to fight each battle until the war is won with a strong, positive mindset.