May the New Year Inspire You

January 11, 2021

May the New Year Inspire You
By Patricia Jackson-Kelley
NAPS National Auxiliary President

As I write this column, my heart is filled with sadness, but also hope, reflecting on COVID-19’s impact in each of our communities. As we transition to a new year, it is my sincere hope 2021 will bring us a renewed sense of a normal life filled with health, peace, love and prosperity.

Our nation has confronted the challenge of surviving a pandemic; 2020 will go down in the history books as a year to remember. Many of us have been forced to adapt to a new normal as we struggle to navigate a global pandemic, racial discord and political turmoil. We have made necessary adjustments in our personal lives, workplaces and schools.

As we continue to make these sacrifices, we must remain positive in the face of these struggles and recognize this is a temporary situation. I recently read an article in the Science of Minds magazine titled, “Toxic Positivity: Big Enough to Live in the Mystery,” by Rebecca Hiraoka. She quoted clinical psychologist Konstantin Lukin who said: “The phrase ‘toxic positivity’ refers to the concept that keeping positive and keeping positive only is the right way to live your life. It means only focusing on positive things and rejecting anything that triggers negative emotions.”

Experience teaches us that when we deny or avoid unpleasant emotions, we make them larger. Evolutionary theories remind us, as humans, we cannot program ourselves to only feel happy. Therefore, we must develop coping mechanisms to handle situations. Here are some examples we can incorporate into our daily lives:

• Build a foundation of taking one step at a time. It requires going within and using your breathing techniques to slow yourself down and know that God is in charge.
• Release is a technique many of us find most challenging—release it and let it go. Although we tout the idea, we often tend to try and fix our problems.
• Connect with your source of spiritual resource. Encourage yourself to acknowledge the whole picture of the situation.

Once you decide to let it go, your spiritual guidance will fall into place. Also, be sure to practice forgiveness; it is not always easy to let go of blame. You don’t necessarily have to establish connection with the person who enraged you to forgive them.

I pray that each of you will find strength in prayer and surround yourselves with family and loved ones while taking the necessary precautions to stay safe during the holiday season. May every day of the new year inspire you to grow as you reflect on 2020 and the lessons learned about what is truly important in life.

I wish you and your family the best of health, wealth, peace and happiness in this new year.