Clear, New Year
What really is the benefit of starting things anew when the calendar turns over?
New year. Old problems. When the sun rises on January 1st, the hope of many turns to the clean slate offered by a "new year" devoid of old struggles.
But though much of the general populace makes attempts at resolutions to change their behavior (with arguable effectiveness), much of the rest of it tends to consider it laughable that a new year brings a new "start."
What this latter group is largely missing is that newness has little to do with a difference in the calendar day, but more to do with taking a step in the right direction.
Often in our society, people are bogged down with the rigors of over-saturated schedules and a relative inability to clear their mind.
A new day, or year, is more analogous, and can be helpful to spur them on in the right direction. And what is wrong with added encouragement to re-evaluate and strive for excellence, toward true purpose?
Nothing, I would say.
Similarly, as the prophet Jeremiah wrote in the book Lamentations, God's mercies are made new every morning. This doesn't mean that He re-calibrates our offenses each day and forgives us all over again; it is (like the years changing) analogous that no matter what, at the close of something dark, there is something brighter on the other side.
So let us resolve not to judge the days or the people who use particular days for inspiration—but let us each embrace every new year, day, and situation as an opportunity for new growth, new encouragement, new adventure.
