Every new beginning starts with an ending 

Today is another day, another chance to live better, to live louder with purpose.

Finishing an old year and beginning a new one brings a flood of want-tos: to be kinder, to work harder, to be better. One year ends and another begins – 2014 is fading, and 2015 is coming in with roaring opportunities to begin again.

At the year’s end is Christmas, and the year’s beginning is New Year’s. How do we bridge the two to begin anew, to grow, to live with purpose?

Christmas is a great time to end the year with a new beginning in mind. Consider adding to your lists of gifts, the gifts to higher living, one that is gentler, kinder and more forgiving, more committed to family and God. Your influence can be the key to begin a great 2015.

Bob Hope once said, “When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things – not the great occasions – give off the greatest glow of happiness.”

You might be like me, not remembering many of the “things” I received at Christmas, but remembering the warm, the loving, family-belonging times.

I remember waking up at 3 a.m. and all four of us children would wake our weary parents who had not been in bed very long as they had been preparing for us kids a delightful Christmas. They would get up as if they had been asleep for the last eight hours to let us go to see what Santa had brought.

I remember singing Christmas carols and hearing the Christmas story of the birth of Jesus Christ, the one born to give us forgiveness for our sins.

I remember all the wonderful food that was prepared for us to enjoy – not fully realizing until I got older the love, care and time it took to prepare all those delicious dishes.

I remembered the extended family with whom we shared Christmas. The pure, adoring love I felt from my grandparents still rings loud and clear, even to this day. I can’t recall the tangible gifts I received from them, but I can still feel their gift of love and acceptance, even though they went heaven many years ago.

So we must ask ourselves, “What is it that we want our kids to remember in years to come?” What is it that we can give our children that won’t break, won’t grow old or left to sit unused? What will last a lifetime and give them what they need to have great endings and beginnings as life pressures and pleasures come against them? How about things that cost only thought and time?

While we certainly want share in our child’s excitement as they open that special gift that will put a smile on their face, we, also, need to give thought to giving those things that will not go out of style or fade away with time.

Think for a moment with me. Read the list below, then make your own list of the things that you want to last a lifetime, things that your children will remember in the years to come after gifts are long forgotten.

Affirmation – Letting our children know they are what really makes your day.

Honesty and integrity – On purpose letting our kids witness a role-model of what is true and right.

Encouragement – Everyone needs to hear, “I believe in you.” “Try again, you can do it.”

Room to make mistakes – By admitting we make mistakes, our children learn to forgive themselves and do better.

Meals eaten together – Children that eat a daily meal with their parents tend to have a head’s up on life.

Parents who are faithful to each other – Children who see parents unselfishly put each first, learn how to develop positive relationships.

A peaceful home that is tranquil and free of strife – children need a place of refuge from life’s stresses, a place to retreat and recoup.

Hugs and kisses – Hugs and kisses go a long way to rekindle the soul with the thought, “I am special to my parents.”

Spiritual development – Teaching our children what is right and what is wrong based on God’s Word and about God’s love and forgiveness will do for a child what a parent cannot do.

Praise and correction – A child, whether two or fourteen, needs to know that you notice when he does something right. A child also needs to know you love him enough to stop negative behavior. A child, whether age 2 or 14, needs to know when they step out of line there are consequences to their behavior. Love praises and corrects.

What would you add to this list?

Adjust it and make it your own for your family to have a great ending for 2014 and a great beginning for 2015.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas ending to 2014 and a Happy New Year beginning to 2015.