A New Year: New Opportunities For a New You

Millions of us will make resolutions for the new year. Most of us will not keep them. Some of our resolutions will survive less than a month before life distracts us and our good intentions fall to the wayside.
Rather than making resolutions that you may or may not keep, in 2013 why not try making improvements in your life you can and want to keep long-term? I'm not talking about taking up golf or running, although either of those would be great if you enjoy them. I'm referring to being a better you. 
Here are some of my suggestions. Designate one night each month as family night. Go to a movie or rent one and make popcorn at home; play board games or video games together; or go to a local sports event.
Find a place to volunteer a few times throughout the year. Look for local charities that you're interested in and find out how you can serve. Volunteer opportunities are abundant and usually take only a few hours. Take your family or a couple of friends along and make it a fun experience.
Go somewhere you've never been before. Read an interesting book. Try a different hairstyle. New experiences are uplifting and you will have the memories that come with them forever.
Remember to always, always, be nice to everyone you meet. You never know when a kind word to someone could be the game changer for them when they're having a bad day. We are created with DNA that thrives on relationships. Let someone know that they are not alone.
Go a step further; talk to a stranger when you're in the check-out line at the store, or the next opportunity you're given, wherever that may be. The conversations that ensue could be interesting and enlightening.
Finally, take time to invite someone to church. And if you don't attend church yourself, I invite you to check out some churches this year. There are lots of options available from conservative and traditional churches to contemporary church services. There are many churches that offer podcasts and downloads so you can get an idea of what their services are like before you step out your door.
I encourage you to embrace the new year with optimism. 

Revelation 21:5

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁵ And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”