31/12/2025
Entry 144.
GOD, DISCIPLINE AND SELF MOTIVATION : A New Year Resolution
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I screamed at the top of my voice with joy and happiness As the clock struck midnight, cheers and fireworks filled the dark sky. I stood at the balcony gazing at the beautiful displays and glows of excitements among residents in my street. it was not just the dawn of a new year but also an invitation to redefine myself. in the midst of excitement a thought pierced my heart like a sword, I murmured quietly "Mummy" it has been a year since her demise but it still felt new like a fresh wound that refused to heal during the harmattan, I could remember every moments before her last breath, The tears that rolled down her eyes, the fear and shock I felt that morning. while still in my thoughts I began to reflect on the the year that has just ended. My resolutions for that year echoed same routines; Serve God wholeheartedly,Read more books to grow financially and morally, Avoid Relationships to avoid excessive billings and focus more on myself, hit the gym and build up my physique. 2025 hits differently with mixed feelings, Life without mum has created a hole that no human can fill. I took a deep breath in the midst of my thoughts to allow the cool breeze calm me.
Psychologically, New year Resolution provides motivation and direction because of the idea of a new beginning and it gives this good feelings of detaching from past mistakes and approach changes with optimism disposing the feeling of guilt carried from previous year but I fell victim to the challenges of keeping resolutions despite the good intentions I had from the start. My previous resolutions started failing within weeks of making them.In my thoughts I began to ask myself questions like Why, What and Where. Why did I fail, What did I do wrong and Where did I get it all wrong. Then I realized the reasons I failed in my resolutions;
I set an over ambitious goals for myself: setting goals are good but unrealistic ones becomes difficult to achieve and this was one over ambitious goal I set for myself that year; In my new year Resolution I had a target of making a profit of a million naira at the end of the year funny enough I was not working, I was a final year student of the prestigious University of Calabar. this level are the toughest in higher institutions because more spendings are required for various school activities like projects, clearance,dues payment, typing and printing not forgetting feeding( very important) so tell me how I would have achieved that . I made this resolution because of what I was exposed to on social media lifestyle, I want to enjoy every good thing in life but failed to realize I lacked the discipline, self motivation and God in my life.
Financial goal was not the only resolution I had made earlier, I had also resolute to serve God wholeheartedly and not miss Sunday mass throughout the year for no reason because by doing that I draw closer to God, then be consistent with my divine mercy 3pm prayers daily, attend organization meetings in church at St Pauls Parish, Unical. I failed in this resolution not because it was not achievable but because i lacked the discipline and self motivation. there are times when I missed Sunday masses because my friends won't be attending and I also did not attend too, if I had discipline and self motivation it should not have happened. Having a New year Resolution requires God, discipline and self motivation to be successful The initial excitement I had making this resolutions faded over time as weeks and months passed which led to my decline.
Not only Financial and religious resolutions did I make, I had also resolute to build my physical and Emotional characteristics. physically I want build my physique by hitting the gym for the whole year and emotionally I want to avoid any form of relationship( no girlfriend). I started the year 2025 with lots of motivation going to the gym daily for the first month but life is so unpredictable and unexpected challenges affected my intentioned resolution; I had used my school fee money sent to me to get a phone and would now rely on my feeding and upkeep money to balance my fees. this significantly hindered my progress in the gym because I would have to go to the gym hungry or sometimes drinking garri and groundnut with salt no sugar and it not advisable to gym on such diet and that was the begining to the failure of building my physical characteristics. Emotionally I crumbled as month passed because the University settings will always expose one to beautiful ladies on campus and my enthusiasm of avoiding relationships failed, I most of my friends are enjoying their relationships so I just succumb to the pressure.
New year Resolutions are reflections of the human spirit enduring belief in Change and growth and the possibility of a better tomorrow. But then I concluded that all this will be possible with God, discipline and self motivation. With God all things are possible (Mathew 19:26) so I resolved that starting my year with God lays a solid foundation for me achieving my resolutions. Discipline helps in time of obstacles and temptations to continue striving in tough moments (2 Timothy 1:7). Self motivation enables me fight back any pull backs and stand strong to continue the journey to achieving my set goals.(Romans 12:21).
Equipping myself with GOD, DISCIPLINE AND SELF MOTIVATION will usher me into 2026 prepared with Life changing New year Resolutions.
Okonkwo Obumneme
