“Life is rooted in new beginnings. Each stage you enter – whether it be launching your career, starting a family, or preparing for retirement – will require reformation, and you’ll find yourself blossoming into fresh new versions of yourself along the way.” These were the words of Lydia Sweatt. According to Buddha, “No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again.” Let’s reflect on embracing a new start.
Do you know that sometimes all you need to move ahead, create the desired impact, and effectively channel your effort is a new start? While it is okay to persevere, hold on, be patient, and hope that your present effort, path, position, strategy, etc will yield the intended result, in many instances, what you need is a simple restart, a new beginning, a hard and difficult bye bye to the past with a smiling welcome of an expected brighter future. At times, your experience may be so challenging that giving up may be quite appealing whereas a new beginning may offer you something more promising. As Thomas Jefferson noted, “If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.” The implication is that holding onto what is not working may not be the way; continuing in the same way you’ve been while expecting a different result may be the insanity Albert Einstein talked about. Though, sometimes, it may seem as a waste of energy to start afresh, that restart may be the magic wand you need for the desired positive step change in your life, family, career, finances, education, etc.
So, enhance your capacity to recognize when a new start is required. Develop yourself to have the mental strength to start afresh whenever there is a need. Irrespective of how challenging your life is, listen to Joyce Meyer: “It’s never too late for a new beginning in your life.” If the fear of the unknown is holding you back, Tony Robbins counselled, “Stop being afraid of what could go wrong, and start being excited about what could go right.” As Craig Sager noted, “Every day is a fresh start, a blank canvas to paint upon.” Therefore, listen to Sarah Breathnach’s advice: “Begin today. Declare out loud to the universe that you are willing to let go of struggle and eager to learn through joy.” Know, as Mahatma Gandhi said, “The future depends on what you do today.” Never forget what Jennifer Payette alluded: “It’s humbling to start fresh. It takes a lot of courage. But it can be reinvigorating. You just have to put your ego on a shelf and tell it to be quiet.”
As you step out this week, irrespective of what befalls you, don’t give up – there is better hope in a fresh start. Listen to Carl Bard: “Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”
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Prof. (Engr.) Esang Esitikot is a professor of occupational health and safety, a COREN-registed chemical engineer, public affairs analyst, UN Ambassador for Peace, certified management consultant, World Safety Organization Ambassador, recognized Environmental Ambassador, marriage counsellor, youth mentor, reviewer for some international research journals and volunteer lecturer at the Institute of Health, Safety, Security and Environment, University of Uyo. He is a manager in the oil and gas industry and was recognized by Highstone Global University, USA as the occupational health and safety personality of 2024. He can be contacted via 08035103559 (Whatsapp only) or email (esitikot@gmail.com).
