I have permission to share this New Year message. My friend, Joyceann, and I share a connection through ancestors who were neighbors in the early 1900s. She lives halfway across the country and is retired from a military career, which may explain her creative take on a new beginning.
“Welcome to flight # 2025. We are prepared to take off into the New Year. Please make sure your attitude and blessing are secured and locked in an upright position. All self-destructive devices should be turned off at this time. All negativity, hurt, and discouragement should be put away. Should we lose altitude under pressure during the flight, reach up and pull down a prayer. Prayer will automatically be activated by faith. Once your faith is activated, you can assist other passengers. There will be no baggage allowed on this flight. The Captain, (God) has cleared us for takeoff. Destination, GREATNESS.”
I can’t find much more to add to that. Maybe that the last weeks have been spent clearing out files and disposing of what is no longer relevant. Even if that isn’t your priority right now, it wouldn’t hurt to look at your baggage. We all have our share.
I’m inclined to pass along whatever material goods I haven’t used in the past year, or will have no need for at this stage of life. Bruce, on the other hand, has a storage unit. You get the picture; the two types seem to always marry one another.
The baggage I want most to leave behind takes up space in my head. Its labels are specific, “What if we have a wreck like the one that happened when the roads were like this on Thanksgiving Day?” and “It was a sunny day in June of my 21st year. I was standing in the kitchen, wearing my favorite tank top when she said…” All those things that my friend mentions, which impede my ability to be present for the journey I’m on today.
I don’t know what your baggage looks like, but I can tell you that putting it away and deciding to get it out when the occasion seems appropriate won’t enhance anyone’s ability to grow. And I know that when I accompany you on those excursions into your attic I may be tempted to carry some of your baggage instead of helping you put it aside. The cure for this malady is made plain in Joyceann’s message. Go back and read it again. And if you really want to make progress, do what I did. Make a copy and post it where you will read it often.
Meet me here next week and meanwhile do your best. Somebody might like it.