Branna Ponders Resolutions, Life, Faith
“To be or not to be, that is the question.” I wonder if Prince Hamlet was contemplating his New Year’s resolutions when he coined this famous phrase. It is speculated that the prince was pondering the dilemma of whether to live and suffer, or to die and end the pain. The lamentation from our legendary hero encapsulated his deep delve into facing life’s difficult choices. Hmmm, maybe he was ruminating over HIS resolutions back in the late 16th century!
As for me, I have toyed with resolutions every year over the last six-plus decades. I’m not going to lie, it was usually the pie (and the Christmas cookies, cakes and other delightful delicacies) that directed my demand for change each year. However, my looming guilt over my grievous gluttony typically dissipated mid to late January. And, just as Queen quipped it, “Another One Bites the Dust!”
Of course, there were other countless commitments I made to myself, including, but not limited to finishing my masters and any one of my manuscripts I had set into motion over the previous years. Read the Bible front to back, exercise more and frankly, just DO BETTER – as a mom, wife, colleague and friend … again, just to name a nominal few.
Every single day brings on its own set of stresses and challenges, and let’s face it, we are usually harder on ourselves than anyone else could ever be.
“Should-a, would-a, could-a” manifests as our mantra, and we often say, “oh, what’s the use?”
A wonderful friend and colleague (who also happens to be a therapist) once told me that I needed to reflect more on what I’ve accomplished rather than focus on my failings. Not an easy feat for sure! But as the Good Book says in Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Simply put, your worth and salvation are gifts, not earned, freeing you from performance-based guilt.
So there you have it. At the end of the day, I just want to hear my Master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Fingers crossed He will say the same of my annual Christmas rendition of bread pudding as well!)
Happy New Year, my friends!
Branna (McCarty) Shores believes that “HOME is where your story begins.” A Noblesville native and proud graduate of NHS and Purdue University, she is a professional speaker, advocate for mental health and work / family balance and retired social worker. Branna is the mother of two grown daughters, six precious grandchildren and wife of one brave husband! Her passions include singing, writing and sharing the lighter side of life through lessons learned, both personally and professionally. She can be contacted at branna18@gmail.com