With the beginning of the New Year two weeks ago, some of you may be feeling slightly frustrated by your resolutions already falling by the wayside, or you may not even made any. However, don't feel too despondent. There's a solution that you might find far more satisfying.
When we talk of resolutions, we might resolve to reduce sugar, give up alcohol, or the oh-so-popular, do more exercise. While these grand plans are all very worthy, they can be mostly self-serving. And perhaps that's why they're hard to maintain.
What if you decided to shift the focus of your resolutions to what you can do for others? You could decide to dedicate a certain amount of time each week to visiting the elderly, or lend a helping hand at your local parish.
If time is an issue for you and you have a little money to spare, you could decide to join a sponsorship program and help someone in a vulnerable position gain an education, or even have a healthy meal now and again. There are many worthy foundations helping youngsters in poor countries, such as Uganda, receive a much-needed education, with a focus on faith.
As Catholics, even if we don't have lots of free time or money, there's a resolution that we can make that doesn't cost a penny and doesn't even have to take up much of your precious time -- and that is prayer.
We could say a weekly Rosary for world peace, or offer prayers for strangers going through hard times. There are so many people who need our prayers for endless reasons. Let your prayer intentions be a force for good for others.
Thankfully, the year has just started and there's still plenty of time to embrace 2023 by serving others. All you have to do is decide on a realistic plan that you can keep, and then get started. Don't forget, if you have kids, they can join in, too!
