P4E.053 I'll Begin Again

I'm alive! Alive!
I've got a chance to change
and I will not be the man I was.
I'll begin again, I will build my life,
I will live to know that I've fulfilled my life.
I'll begin today, throw away the past,
and the future I build will be something that will last.
I will take the time I have left to live,
and I'll give it all that I have left to give.
I will live my days for my fellow men,
and I'll live in praise of that moment when
I was able to begin again.
I will start a-new, I will make amends,
and I'll make quite certain that the story ends
on a note of hope, on a strong amen,
and I'll thank the world and remember when
I was able to begin again."

Movie: "Scrooge" 1970, with Albert Finney as Ebenezer Scrooge,
based on the book "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens
Song: "I'll Begin Again" sung by Ebenezer Scrooge
on Christmas morning after being haunted by three ghosts
Lyrics: Leslie Bricusse

I've ruined many a holiday for my family and myself. By my attitude, actions and words (or lack thereof). I was not haunted by three ghosts, but I did have some epiphanies along the way. The first of which was to realize that my wife was not my enemy, but rather, my help. I do thank God for Gwen and the help that she gives me.

Guys ask me, "How did you change?" The fact is, I know and I don't know. I do know that I have changed. They say that the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. I've taken that to heart. I know now that impatience, frustration and anger did not, do not, serve me well.

When I opened up to Gwen and told her what was going on in my mind and heart, she was able to identify and label what was going on as "warped." When I would fail when faced with difficult circumstances, Gwen would tell me "Whatever you're doing obviously isn't working. Try something different! ANYTHING!" I thank God for that help. I never would have known,otherwise.

So now, I use a Life Partners shortcut to Christlikeness. Whatever "natural" response I would "normally" have to difficult circumstances, I stop and do the opposite. It does require self-awareness and discipline, but gets easier with practice. And it's a sure-fire way to do something different (better). Every time I'm faced with a difficult circumstance I get a chance to "begin again" by changing my bad (or non) responses to better, more engaged, responses. This sure helps keep the "Merry" in Christmas. God give me the strength and wisdom to continue (and you too!)

Merry Christmas!

Kim