A Happy New Year!

 A very Happy New Year to all commentators and readers.

“Here’s to a bright New Year and a fond farewell to the old; here’s to the things that are yet to come and to the memories that we hold.”

From popes down to the homeless, each of us is an individual creation made and loved by God. We are all unique. We will all be judged individually. And, as Christians, we will be held to a higher standard as we proclaim that we are part of the Mystical Body of Christ.

No matter how we lived our lives, the common denominator for all of us will be: How much we loved each other.

Here are some points to consider as we focus on loving God and our neighbour in the New Year:

Never forget that you are God’s individual creation and a gift He has bestowed on the world. Be humbled because He has you in the palm of His hand. Without Him you are nothing.

Be happy with who and what you are. God made you and loves you. If you feel you need to change, you can do it. Just ask for His help.

The choices you make are your responsibility. Sometimes our choices hurt us. Embrace them, learn from them, and move on. Thank God for the experience.

Sometimes not getting what you want or what you think you need is a blessing. Trust God.

Count your blessings, not your troubles.

Always do your best. Our “best” is all God expects from each of us.

You can make it through whatever comes along. Grace will be there, but it comes one day at a time.

Prayer is the most powerful of weapons and is your greatest ally in all adversity.

The key to happiness is to give of yourself, not to “get’ for yourself.

Miracles happen; we all are one.

Temptation is everywhere. It is okay to say “no.”

Finally, never fail to help a neighbour, whoever it may be, even a stranger.