THE NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

When asked what he was going to do differently in the New Year, Kyle didn’t miss a beat and excitedly answered, ‘This year, I am going to be a better friend than I have been in the past’.
‘Is that all?’ Dave asked, quite amazed at the simplicity of his younger brother’s new year’s resolution.
‘Well yes,’ Kyle chimed, ‘you see, in the past, I had a long list of resolutions. I had so many things I wanted to get done. I found it hard to achieve them and as the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, I found that I had gradually lost sight of my initial plan. I lost steam. You get my drift?’
‘I see’ Dave was slowly losing interest in the conversation.
‘So what I’ve decided this year is to keep it simple.’
‘And by becoming a better friend, you hope to achieve what exactly?’ asked Dave cynically
‘Well, you see, I’ve been trying to stop eating chocolates for the past two years. You know Phil from the tennis club?’
‘Yes,’
‘He managed to stop eating chocolates last year, so I figured if we stay as good friends, he’ll help me and show me how he did it’
‘Interesting!’
‘That’s not all,’ Kyle continued excitedly, ‘well, you know how I’ve always wanted to learn how to play the piano but never got really far?’
‘Yes,’
‘Harry, my friend from school has a great music tutor who teaches him to play many instruments including the piano. I figured if we stay good friends, I could get his music tutor to teach me too.’
‘Wonderful!’ Dave was starting to enjoy listening to his baby brother.
‘Oh, oh and there’s more!’ Kyle sensed his older brother’s interest in his speech and was going to juice it. It wasn’t often that Dave was interested in anything Kyle said (or did as a matter of fact). ‘Last year, I wanted to have a surprise party for mom and dad, but couldn’t. My friend Sandy’s mom is a party planner, so…’
Dave cut in ‘you figured if you stay friends with Sandy, her mom will help plan the party?’
‘Yes,’ Kyle paused ‘and of course I will also be able to invite her to the party. You get my drift?’ Kyle winked at his older brother who was now smiling.
‘So what’s your new year’s resolution?’ he asked Dave
‘Oh just to keep you out of trouble and to throw you a party when you turn thirteen!’
‘Hahaha!’ Kyle was pleased to hear that

It is interesting how we usually have long ‘to-do’ lists called New Year’s resolutions at the start of the year. Whether we follow these through or not is really up to us.

It is also up to the company we keep. I’ve found that sometimes, we go all out to achieve all these goals on our own. By going solo, we lose steam quickly and are back where we started.

I wrote the story above as I was thinking of a simple way to convey the importance of networking and the value of friendships as we go into 2011. Yes, we may have big dreams and big ambitions, but without people – the right people-, we may never be able to achieve them.

The bible says in II Corinth 15 v 13 ‘Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners’. This also suggests that good communications or associations enhance good manners.

So whether you want to start exercising thrice a week, or you want to give up chocolate, or you want to study the Word more, whatever it is you aspire for in 2011, ensure that you have the right people around you who can help you achieve them.

Make friends (and sustain friendships) with people who have the potential to help you. For example if you want to start exercising, make friends with someone who probably goes to the gym often, and you could start going together. Likewise, if you want to study the Word more, but have been finding it a challenge, maybe you need a Bible Study Buddy, someone with whom you can read and discuss the Word on a regular basis.

It is also key that we don’t just look for people who can help us achieve our goals, but that we also look to help others. As we forge friendships and build relationships in 2011 (and indeed in life), let us look to give as much value into them as we get out of them

I pray 2011 will be a fulfilling year for us all
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
SHALOM!