New Resolutions?
This is my personal journal entry for 2023. I am blessed. I get to live part of my time in a beautiful and quaint little city in Mexico called San Miguel de Allende. It has a rich history that goes back to the year 1542 when it was founded by the Spanish monk, Juan de San Miguel who was a benefactor of the Indians. The city was named after him and Allende was added in 1826 to honor a native son, Ignacio Allende, a hero of the revolution against Spain. It was primarily a Catholic mission city founded to convert and evangelize the indigenous towns, as well as become the market center for silver which is still mined here to this day. The streets are all cobblestone, and most people walk everywhere around the city. The beautiful baroque architecture is representative of the Spanish style and influence here. It’s a rich mecca for art, food, music, and an old way of life that is valued by both the natives and the newcomers.
As the clock struck midnight on this New Year’s Eve, we watched from a beautiful hotel rooftop as the fireworks exploded into the night and crowds of people were cheering and celebrating family, friendship, and the prospect of a new year with new opportunities ahead. We are fortunate to have made wonderful friends here who have embraced us as part of the community. The mixture of cultures is unlike any experience I’ve had in my life, and I love learning about their traditions. We were even invited to a family’s Posada this year. I’ll have to write more about that another time, but I must say it was one of the most moving experiences I’ve witnessed with the gist of it being a reenactment of Mary and Joseph searching for a place to stay for Mary to give birth to our Savior. This is a magical place and I encourage you to visit this city!
I have never been one to place much emphasis on resolutions.
I’ve always felt I should be living the best life I am capable of constantly, so no need to “create” a new thing about which to focus on if I’m already focused. This thought kind of stopped me in my tracks; how arrogant am I? As I experienced these new traditions here, I started thinking that maybe I haven’t really been all that good at truly living my best life and giving my best to love and be of service in this world. It made me sad, but it also prompted a response in me that I would label “resolute.” I began thinking about something I had heard recently about - using your gifts and not wasting them. I was today years old when I realized the value of reflection on the past and putting thoughts into actions to grow and improve, thus, the real reason for resolutions.
I have had many goals across my lifetime. I have accomplished most of them or discovered I needed to make shifts as my priorities grew into other things along the way. Being a genuine, authentic person who has integrity, compassion, and a nurturing manner has always been my foremost goal in life, and in that regard, I’ve mostly lived up to that aspiration. However, I know that I have on occasion taken the easier paths and not challenged myself to strive for more or to actually give more. So, I am making a resolution. I will focus on all the gifts God has blessed me with, and I will use them for the good of others whenever and wherever possible.
I think it’s good to talk about and write down your resolutions and share them with others.
I am convinced now after experiencing a deeper gratitude for the life I’ve been given here.
I would love to hear your thoughts and what resolutions you have made for 2023. Perhaps in sharing, we will have a greater success in reaching our potential and encouraging others to do the same. As I look out at my view here in San Miguel, I am reminded about the privilege of having a job in which I am allowed to make a difference in the lives of so many and conduct my work remotely in a peaceful setting. I am blessed. I wish the greatest of blessings on you in this new year and the years to come. Reach out to me to share your thoughts! Happy New Year!
On a side note: if your goals are to get your financial house improved/in order, we do not charge anything to do an assessment and make recommendations.
You can email us at info@mvplwrc.com or call us at 775-365-9429.