John’s words are a gift and a reminder of God’s unending love and grace for each of us at the end of the year and a beginning of a New Year.  The end of a year, a time to reflect on the past and celebrate new beginnings. What can I carry into the New Year?  Top on my list to carry forward is a reminder that Grace and Love are given freely from God and are always present.  Basked in this love other things follow friendships,  partnerships,  significant others,  families, new experiences, wisdom,  calmness, differing views and insights and hopes and dreams for what is possible. These are wonderful gifts to be carried into the New Year!  What can I leave behind? Anger, resentment, pride and jealousy.  Have I reflected fully on these situations and do I understand with God’s grace why? I pray to carry forward what I learned and to understand how these experiences shaped me.  I pray to keep the insight close and let it positively shape me for the New Year.