We are four days in to the new year.  Is it as different from the old year as you had hoped?

If not.  What are you doing about it?

We can discover new meaning in our lives in a variety of ways – through engaging in creative acts of work or beauty; through experiencing life, nature, or love of others; or in the attitude we choose in facing life’s difficulties – do we choose to take responsible action, or to passively blame the situation?

What are you doing, four days in to the new year, to discover new meaning, and to make this year better than the last?

Me, I’m doing a lot, maybe too much – daily reading (experience), writing and seeking out new work opportunities (creating), seeking out time with my family and friends (love of others), walking the dogs in the snow (nature), and learning more about a “contemplative” approach to viewing life’s suffering (more reading… see Center for Action and Contemplation).  It’s been easy for the first four days, during that liminal time after the celebration before returning to “reality”.  But now the hard work begins – the work of incorporating those goals, those attempts at change, into the work of daily life.

Maybe I’m overly optimistic, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.  It’s the work of growth, of change, of evolving.  It’s work, but it is the noetic work Frankl talks in moving from who we are now, to who we hope to be.  It is meaningful work.

So, my best wishes to you, as you continue in your work to make 2021 better than 2020 – to make this version of yourself, better than the version from last year.  It won’t be easy, but I promise you it will be meaningful.  And, of course, if I can be a helpful part of it, just let me know.

Take care. – Dan