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A New Year, A New Decade

Updated: August 14, 2023

Gosh! I can’t believe it’s the end of the 2010s – the end of a decade.

I was 53 when I entered the last decade and I’ll be 73 when this new decade ends.

How old will you be?  Does it freak you out thinking how old you will be in 10 years? I won’t lie…it does freak me out!

But I’ve been pondering…10 years is no time at all and at the same time, a lifetime. It seems like the last decade has passed by in the blink of an eye.

And it has come with some real lows. The lowest being my dearest loved ones passing away – my pets (2 dogs and 1 bird), my Mom and my long-time spiritual mentor. Losing them was as low as it got.

It’s also been wonderful…I never felt the presence of God as much as in the lowest times of my life during this last decade. And looking back now, I can say that there were a lot more highs than lows because what seemed to me to be misfortunes and adversities then turned out to be huge blessings!

What about you? Wasn’t this true for you as well?

I’m inclined to think… a decade is a decent chunk of time to make meaningful progress. Towards what?  Holiness!  Spiritual growth! Why not go for it? After all, like this past decade, your life (and mine) can be gone in a blink of an eye.

Many people have the tendency to overestimate what they can do in a year and tend to underestimate what they can do in 10 years.

If you feel like you are falling behind in holinesstake the next decade to do a 180-degree turn.  Ten years is enough time to effect real change but not too long to lose track of it.

Spend more time with God. Make it a goal to get to know Him better. Do random acts of kindness more often. Start leading a simpler life. Be always humble and gentle. Be merciful. Forgive. Stop gossiping. I could go on and on…

If you set your mind and heart on doing the aforementioned, you will set the groundwork that will support you ten years from now. Rather than spinning your wheels, you’ll keep moving forward towards holinessone year at a time.

No matter what kind of “life turn around” you want, as you pursue holiness, remember that you need not be alone in your spiritual journey. I firmly believe that holiness is easier to attain in community. Much of our spiritual growth takes place in relationships, not just with God but with others.

Let’s welcome the New Year and the New Decade with a firm resolve to grow closer to God, to be more like His Son, to pursue and persevere in holiness.

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