Create a Meaningful New Year

Christmas might be over, but we can still give many meaningful and wanted presents each day. Everyone already knows that at New Year's, it's "out with the old, in with the new." Does anyone really ponder how truly important that is? We make resolutions to try to do better, be better (i.e. skinnier, healthier, nicer, less stressed, more organized, yada, yada), but I'd like to offer some ideas to really make the meaning of "out with the old" effective. I'd love to invite all readers to participate in this experiment.
This year, can we really let the past stay in the past? Can we believe it's possible to see each moment with fresh eyes? Can we see the people in our lives as who they are in the present moment, clear of old belief tapes running in our heads? Can we let people out of the box we keep them in by our old expectations and inadvertent hurts? In this new year, can we honestly begin to forgive those in our lives who have given us reasons to mistrust? Can we begin to see the highest potential in the human being who is trying to emerge from under the rocks we've placed on them based on past history? What a gift that would be, to release others from the bondage we've kept them in by holding on to old grudges, picking the scabs of old wounds. Can everyone imagine the peace that could enfold and surround us as we create new relationships based on PRESENCE.....being present in our listening, present in our noticing, present in our responses with no preconceived notions or habits? Wow, I think a whole new world would open up for us. And yes, I do think it would work. And yes, I do think it will be something we have to practice. But that is what life is for; to practice becoming better human beings; to practice evolving in our relationships; to practice the eternal principles of forgiveness and compassion and kindness; to practice BECOMING the kind of person we would be proud to be. It doesn't come automatically to anyone. It comes by imagining who and how we want to be "when we grow up", and then taking the necessary steps to become THAT human being, which is the Divine path......we are human becomings as well as human beings. We are each endowed with Divine Pure Potential in every moment.
And it all takes practice, and it all takes mindfulness, and it all takes constant forgiveness. These are the true gifts of the spirit. They may also be the true Spirit of the Gift.
Love to all.