Most people start “new” goals and resolutions on New Years Day as a way to mark a “change” they want to implement in their lives. It makes sense. January 1st marks the beginning of a new year, so why not also start a new habit or resolve to change an old habit.

I have never been one to make new years resolutions. Not because I don’t have goals nor that I don’t see the value in these endeavors. It just never has been my “thing” in years past.

Now that my long-term relationship is wrapping up after nine and a half years, I feel like now is a good time to take new stock of my life and my future and figure out what things I want to pursue going forward.

Instead of resolutions, something I do take stock in regularly are words or themes for the season of life I am in. As i was praying recently about what is next in my life, I heard a phrase in my head that someone told me a few days ago, “Onward and upward.”

That’s it, I thought.

Onward and upward.

What I like about this phrase is that it takes the focus away from external people and situations and points thing right back on me. The onus is on me to move forward. It is my responsibility to do what I need to do for me to proceed.

That’s what I need right now. I don’t need to focus on what other people are doing. I need to look at myself and ask, “What do I need right now?” Once I answer that, it gives me direction to head toward that which is onward and upward.

I am not going to stagnate and wander and turn around on my journey. I am going to keep climbing. I am going to keep working on my own flaws so I will continue to grow. I will work at getting healthy so that I can best serve the people around me, my family, my friends, my church, my co-workers, so that they can experience the benefits of the changes in me.

If you haven’t noticed yet, this isn’t about my ex. It’s not about trying to one-up anybody else. It’s not even saying what I have now is better than what I had then.

I am not comparing this to the past. The past is past. I don’t need to excavate it. I will move forward today for me. Because that’s what I need.

Onward and upward.

– Jason