This year is the time to raise your game

“You must give up your old way of life; you must put aside your old self, which get corrupted by following illusory desires”, says St Paul to the Ephesians (4:22-24). Step up your game! Raise your game! This is how I would like to interpret St Paul’s words today. And this is an invitation and an opportunity for each one of us in 2013: to raise our game, to make an effort to improve the way we do something.

“Feed your mind – it takes on the nature of its diet.”

Why be happy with your old self? Year in and year out, doing what you’ve always been doing; being who you always were. Why not venture into new possibilities with yourself? Possibilities created by you and by God.

Allow yourself to be new again. Get enthusiastic again – enthusiasm means “with God”.

Synonyms for enthusiasm are eagerness, interest, fervour, passion, gusto, zeal, zest and keenness. This is how we can step up our game, by bringing enthusiasm back into our lives, into our hearts, minds and bodies.

St Paul reminds us to look at the self. He places an emphasis on self. But we have been conditioned to look at others first, to focus on others and probably to put others’ needs before our own. And so we neglect the self.

We do not feel comfortable looking at the self and spending time with the self. It makes us feel guilty and self-absorbed.

Change your paradigm here and step up your game. Over the years, there have been many, who like cunning foxes, including your own self-talk, have made you believe that you should not focus on yourself. “It’s always all about you!” I’m sure you have heard this accusation before. Put those cunning foxes right where they belong: in their foxholes. And focus on yourself. Become enthusiastic about yourself. Raise your game and become a better self—not an unhealthy narcissistic self, but a healthy God-created self.

Feed your mind – it takes on the nature of its diet. Provide it with a balanced and well-nourished sustenance and allow intellectual stimulus. Keep your mind always learning.

There is so much to question, so much to discover, so much to learn. Feed your mind from the bread of life. Read the sacred writings of the sages. Read spiritual books slowly and contemplate what they reveal to you. Become enthusiastic about learning.

For some, life could be overwhelming as a child, so you learned to disconnect yourself from your emotions. This became a way of life; you needed to protect yourself to survive. Now it is time to melt away the ice that formed around your emotions.

Step up your game, and get in touch with your emotions, name them and express them. Release the tension of non-expression. Some do not like to talk about feelings and emotions and see it as weak. Feelings are important. Pay attention to your feelings. They tell you what is going on inside you, even when you outwardly choose to deny it.

Only when you are in touch with your emotions will you be able to respond to them appropriately.

What is your profession, your calling, your purpose in life? Are you only going through the motions of your vocation or are you living it day by day with enthusiasm? Challenge yourself, go deeper and discover what God has in store for you. Raise your game and take your calling to another level.

Take care of your body; you only have one. You share your body with God who is working daily through you, reaching out to yourself and others. Rest your body well. Take note of harmful substances that may enter the body. Eat healthily and work out regularly. This way you keep your body ready for God’s work to be done.

Receive the strength and support you desperately need from others. Treat yourself to the presence of others in your life. Be open to the gifts they bring. There are those who can feed you intellectually, nurture you emotionally, embrace you physically and commune with you spiritually. Let them be there for you.

Whatever your plans for 2013 are, remember: “You must give up your old way of life; you must put aside your old self, which gets corrupted by following illusory desires”. In other words, you must step up your game.