Countdown -15: Fresh Starts?

I've been pondering fresh starts lately, what with a new job and our church re-start all coming in the next month.  Here are some questions I've asked myself, and offer for all seeking a start over:

Can we really get a Fresh Start?  I mean, if you're in witness protection, yeah, you kinda have to.  But for us non-mob crime witnesses, it's probably difficult for several reasons.  Number one is that people have a hard time forgetting what came before- especially people called "you."  You have to be willing to close that door to the past before expecting others to.  Then you have to work to prove to them you are new and improved.  This will a problem our church has to hurdle, for sure.  Not that there were bad things before, but we need a clean slate.  Another difficulty is that most often, we start over right where we were.  This means all the same problems and temptations from before are still there.  Best pay attention to them.

How do we Start Fresh?  New job, new wardrobe, new car, new attitude.  It can be these things, it can be more.  I think the answer starts inside- are you ready for the change?  The rest will follow, but you MUST firmly decide to seek that fresh start, and in doing so, shut the door and lock it behind you.  As we resolve to change, the manner of said change will often present itself as we go.

What if it fails?  You try again.  During my attempts at a fresh start I have been humbled by failure several times.  Each time I either quickly recovered, or wallowed in self pity.  But eventually, I got up again.  I am reminded of the highly quotable Batman Begins, when Bruce Wayne's father asks:  "Why do we fall, Bruce?  So we can pick ourselves back up."

What if it Succeeds?  Enjoy it.  Revel in it.  Allow hope to grow.  But NEVER allow yourself to grow complacent again.  Nothing threatens success more than success.  For success can breed a desire to rest on your laurels.  Then you will fall and need a fresh start again.

 Lastly, if it succeeds- use it to bless others.  All of it.  The struggles, the wins, the little stuff and the big stuff.  All of it means something to you, and chances are, it will mean something to someone else.