It’s that time of year again. We gaze into the mirror and, with the prospect of a new year and a new opportunity for beginning again facing us, we start to think of all the ways we can improve ourselves. And I’m all for it. I’ve lost some weight the past six months and gotten into better eating habits and an exercise routine I enjoy. Taking care of ourselves — physically, mentally, spiritually, professionally — is important.
But even as I think about how much more weight I want to lose and what my exercise goals for the next year should look like, I am nudged deep inside by a voice that says, “there’s more.”
Okay, I think. More. Hmm. So I start making a self-improvement list. A class perhaps. Cook more, eat out less. See family more often. Start that journal again. Walk further. Maybe get back on the bike. The list can grow long, as we all know. But then I hear a voice once again, and this time it whispers, “Maybe less would be better.”
Self-care is critical if we want to spend many healthy years with the ones we love and if we want time to do the work to which we feel called. The danger, so to speak, is not letting ourselves slide down the slippery slope toward a self-image that is based entirely on, well, ourselves. For we are more than what we look like in the mirror and how far we walk or run. We are more than our educations and professional relationships. We are more than what we appear to be.
We are at our best when we give ourselves to others in service. We are at our best when we are able to empty ourselves of the bounty and noise of life and focus on the still, small voice of the One who calls us to be more (and less) in different ways than the mirror or the scale could ever show us. For God sees us differently than we can ever see ourselves.
Today, even as I think of ways I can improve my health in the coming year, I recall the words of St. Francis of Assisi who said, “I am who I am in the eyes of God—nothing more and nothing less.”
Ask yourself in silence: As I make my New Year’s resolutions, where’s God?
Thanks Steve…Everything you wrote about is very, very pertinent! Absolutely true! And when I pray this prayer, after receiving Holy Communion, “…and INCREASE MY ABILITIES….” I never fail to marvel how quickly our Loving God answers…and keeps on the many probabilities!!! And it is amazing how we are able to do new things that were were wont to even think about! We will definitely achieve more, trusting in God’s providence, and living our lives ‘UNENCUMBERED BY BAGGAGE! Once again, my grateful thanks for your insightful discourse!
Thanks for that Steve. I think 1 Peter 2:12 roughly translates as “by your good works shall ye be known”. Go for it Steve! With God’s help you will. You have been an inspiration to me. So now I need to get on with it too. God bless you