OUR NEW YEAR ’S RESOLUTION

GETTING OFF TO A GOOD START

As we enter this New Year, I begin thinking of things I would like to do differently. It takes renewing my mind to think in a more positive way, and to include God in all my decisions. For God says in Jeremiah 29:11: “I know the thoughts I think toward you,” says the LORD, “thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

OUR SPIRITUALITY

If someone asked me to name the most important part of my New Year’s resolution, I would have to say “my spirituality”. If our relationship with God is not in alignment, our relationships with others will suffer. We need to make time to spend in the Word of God, and to seek God to know His will and purpose for our lives. When our spiritual life is good, we will find deep inner peace to see us through life’s challenges. Let’s make time to pray together.

OUR RELATIONSHIPS

We might find some friends, colleagues or family members difficult to get along with. This can leave us in a state of uneasiness. When we try mending bridges and choose to forgive someone, we find we begin to see positive changes within ourselves. When we reach out in kindness and forgiveness to someone less deserving of it, we find our hearts transformed and softened.

OUR HEALTH

Let’s admit it. These holidays did not do justice to our ‘unique physique’. We indulged a little too much and now we bulge a little too much. Let’s begin this New Year by taking time to exercise, and go for those long relaxing walks on the beach or in nature. Let us not forget the importance of drinking plenty of water while doing so.

OUR WORK

Working is important to make a living and to keep ourselves active. This year let us look at the aspects of work. We all know the saying: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. We need to have a balanced life, take time to spend with the family and avoid burnout. Many marriages are on rocky ground because some are married to their work, driven off course by the desire to succeed. Let’s allow God to put the balance in our lives, and then we will really experience success.

IN CONCLUSION

May you all be blessed with peace, love and joy as we strive for a balanced life in the Spirit of God. May we achieve what we dream and hope for, in the plans and purpose that God has for our lives. May our New Year’s resolution be to resolve our differences and to involve God’s love in our world.

Catherine de Valence

Catherine is a French Artist. Born on the 5 October 1965 on the Island of Mauritius and immigrated to South Africa in 1972. Studied in Mauritius and in Durban, matriculated in 1984 with a special award in Art. Obtained a National Diploma in Textile Design in 1987 and worked for a Textile company for 10 years.

Backpacked in England, Scotland, France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Switzerland; and inspired by the different cultures, art and architecture.

Moved to Cape Town in 2001 and works as a freelance designer and an artist, doing commissioned designs, painting and murals. Enjoys experimenting with different mediums and textures, giving movement to paintings.

Enjoys journaling, writing and photography, capturing life’s experiences in different forms, and sharing it with others. Has written articles for the ‘Southern Cross newspaper’ and for the ‘Joy Magazine’.
Currently residing in Durbanville, Cape Town, with husband, Pierre, and daughter Christine.