As we begin the New Year, it is common for many to set new goals or resolutions. The 2020 year was full of surprises and may have left many people not feeling like themselves. But as we begin the 2021 new year many people are trying to have a better year and have set goals.

Lots of the goals are focused on positive new habits.  People have resolutions or goals in different areas of their lives.  Some focus on health goals and other people focus on spiritual well being.  The 2020 events have reshaped our focus, values and ways we want to enrich our lives moving forward.

Math teacher Paul Sweeney has a spiritual goal. He said, “One of my goals that I’ve been striving for is prayer. I have been praying in the morning before school every day, and I want to continue to add other times during the day that I pray or read the Bible.  I found that it brings more peace, structure and meaning to my day.”  He journals to keep reflecting and to make sure he is consistent.

Junior Elle Chapman has a resolution focused on state of mind and mental awareness.  She said, “One of my New Year’s resolutions for 2021 is to be more present in situations.  Looking back on 2020 has made me realize how much I took for granted. To keep this goal, I am going to really make sure I identify the moment and enjoy the little things.”

English teacher Jacob Singer shares that he does not do resolutions athough he does have things he is working on. Singer said, “A couple years ago, I hit a wall as a guitarist and became really frustrated.Music stopped being something that brought me joy.” Through searching the web,  Singer found a company that streams online guitar courses. “That has helped me break through that wall and improve as a musician. It has rekindled my love of playing and I feel like I am slowly making progress.” He shares that while his kids watch “Pete the Cat,” he takes a few minutes to become a better musician.

Junior Devin Larsen Nigam is focused on academic achievement.  “My goal for 2021 is to raise my level of intuition because I want to become more knowledgeable. This is a goal that’d help me especially in academics and allow me to grow as a student.”

Transfer student, junior Dominic Martinez,  shares his fitness/physical resolution. He said, “My goal is to work out everyday. I will keep this goal by putting checkboxes on a whiteboard in my room. I choose this resolution to go along with my goals on the football field. Transferring from a smaller school to Bellarmine was a big step up in athletics for athletics and I want to start taking it more seriously.”

Finding the good in ourselves is the focus for 2021 goals and New Year’s resolutions. Whether the goals are focused on personal growth, intentional presence, a new activity or creating a closer relationship with God, the growth will help us cope with challenges from 2020 that follow us into 2021. Our resilience and goals will help achieve the growth and presence of mind to strive to our best lives during the global pandemic.