Very little is written in my 2016 planner.

It’s still clean and fresh — much like the year it will chronicle.

While its emptiness fills me with hope, it’s also a little intimidating, for it is up to me to choose where I will spend my time and what I will allow to consume my energy, emotions and even my money.

Last January, I made and ultimately broke my New Year’s resolutions.

The fact that I am not alone provides little consolation. According to a poll by TIME, the top three commonly broken resolutions were: lose weight and get fit, quit smoking and learn something new.

The good news is it’s not too late to learn something new.

I’d like to suggest inserting a new thought into our minds as we enter 2016.

It comes from the devotional by C.S. Lewis, My Utmost for His Highest.

“Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ. Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.”

Happy New Year!

Ronny Michel may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.