Many times people feel too overwhelmed to start over. Many lack the confidence to even take the first steps in starting over. This fear of doing something new occurs not just with large challenges, but even with small things, such as changing a habit.

If you are at a point in your life where you need a fresh start, regardless of how small or large the issue is, this article will give you three very helpful keys. You really can have a new beginning if you define your life, let go of the past and take action.

I've found myself needing a fresh start in a dramatic way number of times in my life. As recent as two years ago, I was laid off from my job after being employed for nearly seventeen years. As you might imagine, the initial thought of starting over again was not pleasant.

But I have experienced a new beginning many times and in various situations. There have been times when we moved to a different city to gain better employment, starting over in new surroundings. When you're young, the idea of starting over can be exciting. But it seems that the older one gets, the idea of starting over becomes less and less appealing.

Personally, I don't like the phrase, "starting over." To me, it carries a negative connotation. And, most of the time people use the phrase with discouragement: "Now I have to start all over, or, "I don't want to start over again."

So, the first key is, instead of saying, "starting over," calling it, "a fresh start", "a change of pace," or even "a new beginning." Doesn't that sound much more appealing than having to start all over again? Define things in light of the results you want in your life.

I think everyone would agree that there are times in life when things do not happen the way we wanted them to happen. This could be a result of our doing, or because of the actions of someone else. One of the biggest things that can hold us back is holding on to that which did not happen the way we wanted it to.

People spend so much time lamenting over things that did not work out the way they wanted them to, especially those things that are outside of their control. When I was laid off I could have spent countless hours wondering why I was laid off, what could have prevented it, how unfair it was, etc. I could have held on to anger, resentment, and bitterness, but instead, my focus was on a new beginning.

The second key in your new start is letting go of the past. You cannot change the past, and you cannot control anyone else's free will choices either. But, you do have control over your own choices. Choose to let go of the past.

Regardless of how ugly or unfair things have been, if you don't let go of the past, you will never be able to move forward. If you need to apologize to someone, do it and move on. If someone has not apologized to you, forgive them and move on. If you don't, the past will enslave you for the rest of your life.

Countless people still mentally live in the "good old days." They think back on when things in life were so much better than they are today; they have pleasant memories and wish that things were today like they were back then. Meanwhile, their lives waste away.

Good or bad, the past is still the past and we can do nothing to change it. We live today because we cannot yet live tomorrow. And, what we do today will have an impact on where our lives will be tomorrow.

The third key in your fresh start is to take some action today. Begin each day with the excitement of a new beginning. When you wake up each morning, it truly is a new beginning.

It really doesn't matter how much progress you make today, just start moving forward, taking whatever action you can. Today is a new beginning; today is a fresh start; today is the beginning of the rest of your life.

And never forget that when you wake up each morning, God rules on the throne and loves you mightily. Each morning when you wake up, all the promises of God are still true and powerful. His promises are written for you. Choose to claim them!

Be clear on how you define your life. Let go of the past. Learn from it, and then let it go and move on. Take action every day on your new beginning, remembering that you are not alone. God loves you and He has given you promises that He is able to perform for you. A fresh start awaits you.

Michael A. Verdicchio offers a FREE eBook, "9 Keys to Answered Prayer!" for signing up for his FREE weekly news letter, "The Pep Letter," at:http://www.ConfidenceAndJoy.com
Michael is a husband, father, minister, author, broadcaster and the voice on numerous projects and productions, Get a FREE Lifetime Membership to www.EnrichingYourLifeNow.com when you subscribe for FREE to his inspiring blog.

[Edited by Administrator (admin) Sun, 26 Jun 2011, 03:06 AM]