Notes to Self

Notes to Self

 As we all look forward to a New Year, I know I’m yearning for a simpler range of life experiences. The Advent and Christmas seasons were happy holidays, brought normal times with settings and experiences that made me feel more comfortable. And yet, if we were to look at the full range of our daily experiences this past year, our reality was probably something very different. The days in front of us in 2026 will inevitably provide an extensive array of experiences that evoke feelings ranging from sadness and struggle to growth and pride, and more.

I told my church family this past Sunday that I love New Years Day! Think about it. We have a choice starting tomorrow. We can resist the reality of having to deal with potential discomfort and uncertainty, times when we’ll sometimes feel upset. Or we can embrace every experience God allows us to live, including all the highs and lows. We can choose to accept all the blissful moments and the frustrating ones and everything in between. Let’s face it . . . Life isn’t always happy and comfortable 24/7. It’s well-rounded and it’s ever-changing.

Embracing the full range of life’s experiences between now and the end of 2026 means embracing every moment with our full presence, remaining open and vulnerable to reality, being gentle with ourselves when moments are tougher than we expected, and practicing sincere gratitude to God whenever possible. Starting a new year means accepting life as it is, and accepting ourselves as we are. It means not expecting the best to happen every day along the way, but instead accepting what happens with each step, and making the best of it with God’s grace. It may not always be easy of course, but it’ll be worth remembering.

The key is keeping the right thoughts at the top of your mind. And maybe that begins now by writing some notes to yourself. And after you’ve written them, review them daily until they become ingrained in your mind. Those memorized notes can help you stay on track in different areas of life by empowering you to make the best and most effective use of the ever-changing reality that lies before you in 2026. Let me suggest some “Notes to Self” that might serve as examples for yours:

Note to Self: Happiness is letting go of what you assume your life is supposed to be like right now, and sincerely appreciating it for everything it is. So, RELAX. You are enough. You have enough. You do enough. Breathe deep. Let go, and just live right now in this moment.

Note to Self: When things aren’t adding up in your life, begin subtracting. Life gets a lot simpler when you clear the clutter that makes it complicated. Bring your attention back to what’s important and move forward.

Note to Self: You can’t control how other people behave. You can’t control everything that happens to you. What you can control is how you respond to it all. Your strength is in your response.

What notes to self are YOU going to write? Do it today or at least before the New Year gets too old.

Thanks for reading Pastor Dale’s Mid-Week Encouragement.  It’s not copyrighted so feel free to share it with someone who needs encouragement today. And, if you’re a regular attender of the Mt. Laurel Church of God, please consider reading Matthew 9:35; 10:8-23 to get yourself ready to hear God’s message through Pastor Dale this coming Sunday, January 4, the first Sunday of a brand new year dedicated to worshiping the King of kings and Lord of lords!

Called to know the Way, go the Way, and show you the Way,

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.