I’ve come to embrace sayings like “tomorrow begins right now” and “today is the first day of the rest of your life”.  While there is no point in living in the past, there is great value in not forgetting it.  Although one day is as good as the next for reflecting upon the past, the habit of celebrating the New Year especially focuses my thoughts during this time.

So what is the proper way to reflect?  There is no set ritual for such a thing, but here is my way:

1.  Things to consider:  positive people in my life, the good events I have enjoyed,  what has brought me happiness, setbacks, personal losses, key choices I have made over the past year (for better or worse), what about me and my life is different, what is the same?

2. How to use my reflections:  look at myself objectively, be aware of the choices I made that impacted me negatively, be aware of positive choices, recognize how I was towards those close to me, consider any prominent patterns in how I am walking my path.

I’m not an advocate of New Year’s resolutions.  Promises have almost no value.  Those made this time of year even doubly so.  However, solid reflection is a deliberate desire to learn from the past.  These lessons should be kept in mind as we move forward.  I know the results of my past decisions and will reference them in times to come.

Change is not something we can promise ourselves in a sudden gesture but something we create out of daily choices.  Those choices are influenced by the lessons on the past.  Just as the child touches the hot stove only once, so too can we build on our experiences.

Unfortunately, not all lessons are so easily learned as those from burned fingers.  The results of our choices are not always so immediate or directly painful.   Reflecting is our opportunity to learn about ourselves, from ourselves.

Take those lessons into tomorrow, no promises required.