New

I got meet my new grandson this week, Robby; man, is he absolutely A-DOR-A-BLE!! Because of current pandemic constraint guidelines imposed by the hospital where Robby was delivered, my wife & I were not able to be present the day he was born, but once he was released to go home, Oma (my wife) and I were egar to hold this new addition to the family in our arms & close to our hearts...Opa is one happy Opa. 😊💕

During those moments of holding my grandson, gazing upon his face, watching him breathe, sometimes offering a slow stretch or a yawn, and soaking in his tender presence, nothing else mattered...nothing. Being "new" has that impact; "new" has no rules sets to follow, no guidelines under which to operate, pushing everything else aside and taking center stage of focus and attention---rightly so for a new born...not so much for other things.  Like the term "social distance", a new addition to our global lexicon, or wearing masks regularly, a new accoutrement to our daily wardrobes, or other similar new-nesses introduced to our lives this past year.  Even the term "new" has taken on a different meaning, where once filled with anticipation and charm is now seasoned with a greater sense of unknown and mystique, even fear...

From an athlete's perspective, things that are "new" bring opportunities for hope---hope for increased skills, hope for improved performance, hope for better results.  Yet often, "new" is met with resistance due to the introduction of change invariably accompanying anything "new".  As a coach, I often must push beyond my own bias towards "new" in order to experience and comprehend what is being introduced and its benefits---holding onto training methods and processes of the past considered to be "normal", though still valuable and proven resources, creates interference and friction, not only to me as an instructor & guide but to my clients who may potentially benefit from that which is "new".

Scripture reminds me how Jehovah Jira (a name of God in the Old Testament) instructed His people to "not dwell on the past" but to look forward to the "new springing up in wilderness" (Isaiah 43:18-19).  For many of us, this past year of 2020 has been a "wilderness", one which the "new" brought fear and doubt; as we move into the Holiday Season and into the NEW Year, may we all be mindful of former things but not dwell on them, may we be aware of the NEW and its presence, and may we earnestly seek to create ways for bringing "streams into the wastelands" within our circles of influence and impact, both personally and professionally.  

Holiday Blessings & Treasured Memories to you this Holiday Season & New Year!