January evokes mixed messages; choose positivity

Welcome to January. The first part of the month (through Jan. 19) is represented by the zodiac sign of Capricorn, the sea goat. Aquarius, the water-bearer, takes over on Jan. 20.

 

On the surface, January is dark, dank and dreary as well as long. Sports broadcaster John Facenda said: “It’s the January wind that rattles old bones.” (My bones are definitely showing their age.) 

January is also the “month of empty pockets,” said Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, a beloved French author and thespian. “Let us endure this evil month, anxious as a theatrical producer’s forehead,” she asserted. 

“Y’all know how long January is – it never ends. It’s also cold as bricks. And the sun never comes up. January is awful. Please, abolish it,” requested Michael D. Sykes II, a sports journalist with USA Today. 

Yet, there are other philosophers who see January as a new beginning, offering opportunity for optimism. 

Country music performer and songwriter Brad Paisley said Jan. 1 “is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one,”

Brad Paisley

 

In the same vein, Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher, liked to say: “The beginning is the most important part of the work.” 

Anusha Atukorala, Christian author and public speaker, said: “A New Year has tiptoed in. Let’s go forward to meet it.”

Anusha Atukorala

 

Freelance writer Nia Simone McLeod of Glen Allen, Va., is one who believes “January is a beloved period of renewal,” and she is an upbeat contributor to EverydayPower.com, an inspirational website that stresses positivity. McLeod is fond of using famous quotations to underscore her messages.

 Nia Simone McLeod

To build her case for the goodness of January, McLeod turned to the wisdom of old Benjamin Franklin, a great American writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher and political philosopher. He said: “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.” 

Consider this observation from a more contemporary source, Steven Spielberg, motion picture director, producer and writer, who said: “Every single year, we’re a different person. I don’t think we’re the same person all of our lives.” 

Modern-day author Mandy Hale said: “Change can be scary, but you know what’s scarier? Allowing fear to stop you from growing, evolving, progressing.”

Jeff Moore, founder and CEO of EveryDay Power, is a former New York City public school teacher and a good role model to illustrate how “to welcome this chilly month of January with open arms,” McLeod said. 

Through his burgeoning motivational website, Moore stresses: “The most important thing you’ll ever wear is your attitude. Having a positive attitude isn’t wishy washy, it’s a concrete and intelligent way to view problems, challenges and obstacles.”

 

Jeff Moore

“Throughout my entire K-12 career, on every single report card I ever received, it read: ‘Jeff is not fulfilling his potential.’ You know what? They were all right,” Moore said. 

“I started studying the self-improvement sections of libraries and bookstores. I started asking myself questions like, ‘What would my life look like if I gave it 150%?’” 

“I knew what it was like to give 70 or 60%,” he said. “I made a commitment to see what I was really capable of. I want to be an example of perseverance and resilience.” 

“Once, I heard somebody say, ‘Why settle for average, when greatness is possible?’” 

“Like Gandhi said, ‘Your life is your message. Make it an inspiring one,’” Moore stated. 

One final thought comes from American humorist Will Rogers, who said: “Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.”

Will Rogers