There is a website featured in Oprah magazine, First30Days.com. Ariane de Bonvoisin started the website with the idea that a journey of a thousand miles always starts with one step. The website notes that, "The exciting thing about change, in a strange way, is that it is guaranteed to happen, yet we all act as though it's a shock when it does. It's kind of a human paradox." This website is designed to provide support and community to those going through these guaranteed changes. Many of the topics this website covers are major life challenges, ranging from losing a loved one to dealing with a medical diagnosis. In light of the New Year, the article in Oprah magazine tackles problems such as losing weight or beginning a new fitness regime.
As we face this New Year, many of us will be making resolutions and trying to initiate change in our own lives. This can be an annual ritual of disappointment and frustration if we don't realize that it is impossible to take the journey of a thousand miles without that first critical step. We also need to realize that first step takes a certain measure of spiritual discipline. Have you been prayerful about the first step? Have you asked for the support of those around you? Let us support each other through these first 30 days to achieve our goals and make our resolutions happen. After all, if we can get through these first 30 days, we will be well on our way to Lent, when we can renew our resolutions in faith.