A New Year, A New Day, A New Beginning. How will you ensure that you will have a fulfilling, prosperous, and rewarding 2015? The answers might be simpler than you think.  Here's how...think small.

All of life’s greatest things originate with an assortment of humble beginnings. Although minuscule and seemingly insignificant those “little things” and “humble beginnings” are the most important and most valuable in life. For all things arise from them.

In the physical realm everything progresses from something much smaller. The mighty sequoia(Redwood), in all its gigantic wonder, was once a seed cone that could fit in the palm of our hands. We know that the smallest and simplest of illuminated incandescence can spark the destruction of hundreds of acres of forests along with it…entire populations. In the spiritual and space of mind some of the greatest things stem from the most trivial beginnings. A subtle inquiry or passion becomes the origin of a great invention, musical masterpiece or inspirational novel. A spoken word moves a nation to war or peace, a pure belief of truth leads to a spiritual transformation for all mankind while a fleeting primal urge can lead us down a path of shadowy perversion.

For every cause there is a beginning with which is always followed by an effect. Have you ascertained the magnitude of your beginnings? Do you know their prominent worth and significance? To comprehend and embrace its true value is to begin a walk towards wisdom. Our beginnings often determine our outcome and often leads us to a given result. There are exceptions of course, however there are always good beginnings and bad beginnings which are eternally accompanied by the law of cause and effect…a reaping of what has been sowed. The seed(beginnings) grow. Nevertheless, we can (with careful consideration) evade wrong beginnings by pursuing right ones and in doing so we elude negative outcomes while enjoying positive ones.

There are some starts in life that we have no control over. In all cases we have no power over the nature or environments we were born into or the positive or negative effects of people’s free will around us. We cannot worry about these types of beginnings no matter how difficult. Instead we must focus only on those beginnings that we have absolute influence and authority over. These beginnings are to be discovered in the kingdom of our very own thoughts and actions. They are found in our mental attitudes under a variety of situations that we're confronted with on a daily basis.

As we begin to recognize this truth we understand the importance of what every day brings…a new beginning, a new opportunity to start anew. A second chance.

Have you given much thought to how you begin each day? What time do you wake up? How do you begin your tasks and duties? In what frame of mind do you come upon the sanctified breath of life of a brand new day? There is often joy or unhappiness that follows after the right or wrong beginning of a new day. The secret to obtaining joy is when every day is started in such a way that is deliberate and accompanied with a keen sense of appreciation and gratitude.

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin… (Zechariah 4:10)4 Tips On How to Start A New Day

Get up at an early hour. Even if our day doesn’t demand it, it’s wise to make it our absolute obligation and start the day by powerfully shaking off lethargy. How are we to improve our strength of will (spirit, mind and body) if we start our day by conceding to sluggish self-indulgence. People who consistently sleep in or lie in bed for hours are in no way renewed or cheerful in their day. Most fall prey to depression and unhappy moods. This is the price that is paid for that kind of daily luxury. Like the addict who feels the need to shoot up (in the belief that it makes him better) so too are we deceiving ourselves if we linger in our beds in hopes that it will cure our bad moods, difficulties or disorders. In many cases our lethargy is the very cause of our issues. After a lengthy time of this consistent behavior we become woefully unaware that we are losing our vigor of mind and body and sacrificing our overall happiness. It’s a small beginning but waking up at an early hour is the first step to a great day.After rising early, get moving. Go to the gym or go for a walk. Let one foot lead the other into an experience of renewed energy and freshness of a new day. It’s in this silent morning hour that we come into contact with clarity and calmness of mind and spirit which allows us to think clearly on our issues and problems with an inner calm and might. There is an inherent spiritual pull in our early mornings. There will be a marvelous silence designed for perfect reflection that will greet you and the morning sunrise as you embrace the beginning of yet another day. The right beginning of our day leads us to joyfulness which will permeate throughout our homes and everything we set out to do (this day) will be done in a self-assured spirited way. We are then filled with a sense of newness of life where we consciously embrace the idea that every new beginning through how we think and act effectively shapes our mental, spiritual and physical lives.Forgive Others, Forgive Yourself. Do not dwell upon the sins and mistakes you made yesterday. Doing so gives us very little strength or energy for living positively today. Never (Ever)believe in the thought that whatever yesterday’s transgression was/is can prevent you from living a right, pure and good life today. Begin today correctly, by living it better than yesterday. Press Onward. We all make mistakes. Ask for forgiveness from others, forgive yourself and then...full steam ahead. Darkness has no greater companion than a self-loathing un-forgiven or unforgiving heart. Paul writes in Philippians: "…But one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal..." Press on dear friends for life, love, joy and new beginnings await you.Guard and Value Your Thoughts. Many of us devalue the power of our thoughts. We fail to fully comprehend that our thoughts are highly influential things that have the power to shape our very lives. Our greatest and smallest achievements all begin with a simple thought. A thought can shape our minds, our emotions, our bodies and ultimately our circumstances. Our thoughts have a huge bearing on our health, our relationships, our spiritual wellbeing, right along with our successes and failures. Our thoughts are valuable commodities that have spiritual influences that attract blessings as well as misfortune. As “mystical” as it may sound, the old adage “What we think about…We bring about!” is absolutely true. Negative thoughts spawn negative results, positive thoughts spawn positive results. Again, the Bible gives us perfect advice on how we should think. Philippians 4:8 says “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” A thought put into the mind is the “humble beginning” of a course of behavior. Be careful what you plant there. Our thoughts (with great influence) can get rooted there and then will feed our actions which produce the fruit of our everyday character and ultimately our destiny. Eliminate bad thoughts and nurture only those that lead you to right and good new beginnings.

I wish you great love, joy, grace and forgiveness this 2015. You can and will make it whatever you want it to be....that power is and always will be within you. With love, Jason


“If we want to live perfectly happy lives...we must drive out selfish character tendencies such as pride, ego, vanity, jealousy, lusts, envy and worry. When we learn to live selflessly, putting others before ourselves, committing to what is noble, right and good; treating others with love and compassion...that's when true happiness is experienced. A genuine focus on selflessness cures all and creates an environment for true growth. It's the secret to every great relationship. We gain...when we give up self. Sacrificing one's selfish characteristics through diligent thought, meditation, prayer and action gives life to true love and abounding joy. ? Jason VerseyA Walk with Prudence