If you’re like me, you begin each new year reflecting on the “better” you that you want to be in the coming twelve months. Better physically, better financially, better spiritually, better relationally… you get the picture.

We generally set resolutions for a new year based on the better person we want to be. We promise ourselves that the image we want to see is the one that we’ll see at the dawn of the next new year.

With all of that hope and promise, I wonder why we statistically fail at such resolutions? Why can’t we make the change to be better?

For some, motivation is the issue. For others, life is just too busy to change because of an arbitrary calendar turn.

However, beyond this, I believe there is a deeper reason: maybe the “better” person desire is as much a heart issue as it is anything else.

While we might need to care for ourselves better in a new year, who we are is not less because we are not the person we think we need to be.

You see, on our best days and our worst ones, we are still beloved. When we make our resolutions, and when we fail, we are still beloved.

While making goals and reflecting on improving where it is needed is a worthy journey, it is not one that negates our belovedness now.

So, whether you make resolutions or not, know that your belovedness is not tied to your success in reaching them. You are not a failure because you didn’t meet last year’s goals, and you won’t be one if you don’t meet this year’s.

YOU are beloved today, now, as you are. Resolve to claim and believe that, and then spread the word to those around you that they are beloved too.

Happy New Year! The best is yet to be… and is already!