New Year. New You?


Over the holidays, I had a chance to read the book The Noticer, by New York Times Bestselling Author Andy Andrews. It truly is a moving story.

The book is centered on the life of an old drifter named Jones, along with his mysterious encounters and impromptu counseling sessions with a number of residents living in a small Southern beach town.

Jones possesses an uncanny — some might say spooky — way of looking into the lives of those around him to reveal their weakest link. Some how, some way, he knew exactly what advice needed to be given, and what “perspective” should be offered, so that the individuals he reached out to could turn their lives around.

Andrews is certainly a masterful storyteller who weaved in The Noticer a story of hope and revival. And for me, as the reader, it generated subtly a sense of urgency and emotional depth to examine life more closely through a new spiritual lens.

There were certainly several nuggets of narrative that hit a cord, and made me go “hmmm.” But one that I’d especially like to elaborate on, if you will, would be a response Jones gave to a widower, void of hope and self-worth, who had all but checked out of life.

Jones says:

“Many of life’s treasures remain hidden from us simply because we never search for them. Often we do not ask the proper questions that might lead us to the answer to all our challenges. We are so caught up in fear and regret, that hope seems a foolish endeavor…”

I felt it very appropriate to highlight this section of Andrews’ prose, given we’re starting a new year.

For many of you reading this, you’ve felt compelled to make resolutions, goals, or have even transitioned into a new stage in your life. Perhaps you’ve started a new job, downsized your lifestyle because of personal reasons, or are doing a little soul-searching on what it is you really want out of the years to come.

Those are all great things. indeed. However, if there’s one thing I would highly suggest you add to the repertoire of things you must accomplish this year. It would be to get hope.

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible involves three theological virtues: faith, hope and love. According to study resources, hope represents the attitude and focus one has toward God’s message.

If we were to translate that to our lives, and view hope as a conduit to achieve our career aspirations, our level of hope should forever fuel our attitude and focus toward our career goals.

(Read more about how poor attitude hurts a career here.)

So the question therein lies: what’s your hope looking like these days? Are you running low or is your tank full (of hope)?

While life’s challenges can sure get you down, hope should always be there to pull you back up.

Keep the Discussion Going

Are you starting the new year with a tank full of hope?

You may not realize it, but all it takes is a simple decision on your part to become hopeful once again. 

As Andy Andrews so eloquently portrayed in his book The Noticer, a little perspective can go a long way.

Start today regaining perspective on life. By doing so, you could renew the hope vested in your career dreams.

Have a happy and blessed New Year everyone!

Comments

comments

  • http://www.SpiritualFoodBlog.com Trevor

    I have been known to procrastinate but as I went through my dry season in 2009, I was determined not to wait until conditions are perfect before moving forward and walking according to God’s calling on my life. You are right that without hope we can not move forward. 2010 is the year of resurrection or completion. Believe, trust & obey God and watch the amazing things that will happen for you in the New Year!

    “To exist is to change; to change is to mature; to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.”
    Henri Bergson