Hope in the New Year by Kristina Schmitt
Anchoring Yourself in Hope All people are intrinsically valuable, regardless of whether they win, lose, succeed, or fail. Recognizing this detachment from outcomes helps you stay centred in hope, no matter where you find yourself on the spectrum. Maintaining hope requires a balance of trust and hard work. • Building trust in something greater than yourself takes intention. Prayer or meditation can remind you that you’re part of a larger whole. Your contribution is important, but it doesn’t define your worth. • Hard Work is always necessary. While there may be a larger plan outside your control, your part in that plan still requires effort and dedication — not a free ride. When Goals Feel Difficult If you struggle with your goals this year: 1. Make time for regular prayer or reflection. Create space to connect with something bigger than yourself. 2. Set small, achievable goals. Tiny victories build momentum and help you stay motivated. For help on achieving your goals this year, reach out to Kristina at www.kristinaschmitt.ca.
New Year’s resolutions, turning over a new leaf, starting a new chapter… the New Year is full of hope. In fact, we wouldn’t set goals at all without hope. However, that hope can waver or fade while we work toward our objectives.
Hope is more than optimism or wishful thinking. It lies on a spectrum between Despair and Presumption , and as you pursue your goals, you’ll move along this spectrum. The key is to continually return to the center. Avoiding Despair Every failure or roadblock has the potential to push you toward despair. This often happens when we rely too heavily on ourselves. When we tie our self-worth to achieving goals, a setback can feel like personal failure rather than a mistake or temporary hiccup. To prevent despair, keep your eyes focused on your ultimate goal while cultivating trust in something greater than yourself. Steering Clear of Presumption Conversely, early success can lead to presumption. Pre- sumption is a lack of preparation and an overreliance on self. It’s the belief that ‘I‘ll achieve this goal simply because I’m me’. This mindset is linked to a sense of entitlement—feeling you deserve something because of your inherent worth, not because of effort. The danger of presumption is that when the expected reward or promotion doesn’t materialize, it can lead to feelings of rejection or devaluation, and ultimately, despair.
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Hometown St. Thomas • Jan-Feb 2025 • Page 27
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