Did you know that the Babylonians were the first to hold celebrations honoring the new year? It’s interesting to know that my ancestors held celebrations that began in mid-March to commemorate the beginning of a new year which have turned into a tradition and adopted by the Western world and continue to this day.

On a different note, I’ve decided to do something different this year. I won’t be making any New Year’s resolutions for 2024.

While the start of a new year is often seen as a fresh start and an opportunity for new beginnings, I find it somewhat redundant to wait for one specific day to make a list of goals for the entire year. Making positive changes and setting personal goals should be an ongoing process in life, rather than something confined to a single year.

New Year’s resolutions also tend to have a bad reputation because they often fail. We often set unrealistic goals and try to achieve them all at once. The pressure to meet these goals can lead to a perfectionistic mindset, which is not always healthy or sustainable. Life doesn’t always work according to a strict timeline.

Therefore, in 2024, I have decided to prioritize my relationship with God above all else. While I may have faced many challenges and doubts in the past year, I know that my faith remains strong. I don’t expect myself to always be smiling through the pain of my chronic illness. It’s important to acknowledge our human response to suffering. However, I have been taught to persevere and find comfort in knowing that even Jesus faced exhaustion while carrying His cross. Despite extreme discomforts, I’ve been taught by my faith to persevere through it all.

And that’s exactly what I intend to do in the upcoming year. I will persist in trusting Him, persevering, and braving on. Facing another setback that will land me back in the hospital? I will prioritize God. Trying yet another medication that proves unsuccessful? I will prioritize God. Struggling to support yourself, maintain a good quality of life, and have to put my responsibilities on hold? I will prioritize God.

Yes, we all know that it’s easier said than done. It’s not always the first thing that comes to mind when I find myself in a dark and gloomy place. In those moments, I find myself desperately pleading with God for relief from my pain or even just a glimmer of good news to brighten my challenging season. However, my faith tells me to hold on.

So, how will I continue to draw closer to God this year? Even if I don’t make a list of resolutions, I will at least create a practical list of ways in which I can prioritize God. These are personal actions that I can take or things I would like to do more of…

Attend Daily Mass

Beginning the day with mass and the Holy Eucharist sets the ideal tone for the day regardless of what may come. There are so many fruits of attending daily mass let alone receiving the Holy Eucharist. On days that I do attend Mass, I feel most grounded, enriched, and spiritually fed.

Praying Liturgy of the Hour

I started to commit to praying this last year, but unfortunately, I fell off track when times became difficult. In my defense, it wasn’t always feasible when I was unwell. However, I would like to recommit praying it daily. If I happen to miss a morning, midday, or night prayer, I make an effort to overcome my scrupulosity about praying it perfectly throughout the entire day. I just show myself some mercy and grace if I have a valid reason for not being able to pray at a specific time. However, let me tell you when I do manage to pray throughout the whole day, it brings such wholesome fulfillment! There is something incredibly powerful and comforting about praying the psalms every day. One app that I found helpful for praying the liturgy of the hours was the Laudate app.

Practice Fasting

Yes, even outside of the Lenten season. And no, I don’t mean fasting from meat (as I already have a strict diet, so fasting from meat doesn’t invigorate my soul as fasting from other things does) I mean fasting from worldly attachments. One thing I consciously did last year was practice more discipline. If I noticed myself indulging in the food I shouldn’t eat, spending too much money, mindlessly scrolling on social media, or excessively worrying about something, I would fast from that specific indulgence the following day. I would either eat healthier, delete social media apps, donate money to someone in greater need, or simply pray more for one day. It’s a simple, effective, and practical approach.

Visiting Adoration

This year was incredibly challenging for me, and I was unable to drive to many places. Along with my goal of achieving remission this year, I want to spend more time in silence. Life and the world around us can become so chaotic. It is of utmost importance to me that I center my heart on Jesus, especially during times when I am shaken and restless due to suffering. Apart from attending mass, adoration is the only place where I can truly “be still” (Psalm 46:10).

Praying the Rosary

It goes without saying how significant it is for any Catholic to pray the rosary. Again, I wasn’t always able to commit to praying a full rosary every day during my flare-ups. However, I do want to let go of the idea of perfectly praying the rosary every day. My spiritual director has suggested that I at least say one decade if I am too tired. Or simply recite one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be while reflecting on one of the mysteries. I found that using the Hallow app was a game-changer when it came to praying the rosary. It really helped me stay focused and engaged throughout the prayer especially when I couldn’t pray it out loud if I was unwell and in pain. This app has transformed my prayer life! Highly recommend it 🙂

Getting Involved in the Community

Getting closer to individuals who are deeply devoted to their faith can have a profound impact on your own spiritual journey. As believers, we understand that the church is stronger when we come together as the body of Christ. It is not just a cliché when we say that the company we keep can shape who we become. However, I understand that my personal circumstances may not always allow for close connections, especially when battling my chronic illness leaves me isolated. Nevertheless, community and connection are vital at every stage of life.

Thankfully, many local parishes offer ministries and support systems that can help bridge the gap. For instance, my own parish has a mental health ministry that connected me with an incredible spiritual director whom I have been seeing for the past seven years. These ministries provide a platform for involvement, whether it be attending talks, joining a ministry, volunteering, participating in youth or adult groups, or going on retreats. By actively engaging in the church community, we contribute to its growth and strength. Each person has something unique to offer, regardless of their level of experience or position within the church. The unity and diversity within the church enriches the community, equipping individuals to live righteously and to spread the message of Christ’s love and salvation to all people.

Find a Spiritual Director

Jesus said that “where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst.” This is connected to the previous suggestion, but it specifically focuses on your personal relationship with God. Spiritual direction involves two individuals, the spiritual director and the directee, coming together in the name of Jesus to assist the directee in developing a closer relationship with God and better understanding how the Holy Spirit is guiding them in their life. In today’s chaotic and confusing world, genuine growth in faith and spirituality is often lacking. Spiritual direction aids in seeking discernment of how the Holy Spirit is leading in one’s personal life, whether it involves facing challenges or making important life decisions. My own spiritual director has been instrumental in every aspect of my life, greatly helping me to deepen my faith and strengthen my relationship with God.

These methods are excellent for deepening our connection with God, but it’s important to recognize that they may not resonate with everyone in the same way. That’s perfectly fine. Each person’s spiritual journey is unique, and certain practices may not be beneficial for their spiritual growth. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to note that skipping Sunday mass is not acceptable… please make sure to attend (unless you have a valid reason of course)! However, attending daily mass may not be feasible for everyone due to their schedules. In such cases, a morning prayer or reciting the rosary on the way to work can suffice. Whatever helps you center your heart on God every single day of the year, embrace it.

Let’s be honest, prioritizing God brings countless blessings. When we place Him first, everything else falls into place. We were created to have a relationship with God, and He invites us to make that relationship our top priority while we navigate this world. Once Jesus was asked a related question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. (Matthew 22:36-38)

Jesus is telling us here that the greatest priority in life is to wholeheartedly love God with every part of your being – your heart, soul, and mind.

And that’s why prioritizing God every single year is the only resolution worth pursuing.