A Most Excellent New Year's Resolution

Most everyone that is inclined to make a New Year's Resolution does so in an effort to improve themselves and/or their lifestyle. Generally it is done with the hope of making the year ahead better than the one just past.

Again, of those so inclined, the majority of resolutions made are of no great or lasting value. Shed a few pounds here, stop smoking, spend less/save more, be more outgoing, generous, etcetera.

This year, instead of the usual New Year's Resolution, why not go all out and make a most excellent resolution?!?

This year, resolve to memorize and recite the following prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. Then, make every effort to live it out and see what effect it has not only on your life, but on the life of those you come into contact with on a daily basis!

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.