Another year has rolled around again. The new year is a time where we make all of these silly promises to ourselves about how we are going to lose weight, or save money, or stop some awful habit we have...for me this means biting my nails.

But really, this new year is so much more than something to stress over because of resolutions we know are hard to keep. Rather than worry about things we should be doing, we should be rejoicing for the things we are able to do.

This is a new year. It's a clean slate, a fresh start. This year, don't focus so much on being a different you, but focus on being a better you. Don't change silly habits that you have, unless they are harmful to yourself or others, but embrace the quirkiness that makes you who you are. This year should be a year of growth. Don't let the past drag you down and don't let silly promises you can't fulfill put a halt to the start of your brand new year. Hey, that sounds pretty good: The Year of You. The same you, but better.

Think of Winter break as a time of rest. A time that God gives to us each year to step back and look at all the things we have accomplished in the past 365 days. How we have grown and how He has slowly shaped us into the person He planned for us to be all along. Now that the new year has come and we have reflected on all we have done, it's time to look forward to a new year of bigger and better things.

New Year's resolutions aren't necessary to ring in 2017. Don't waste your time trying to accomplish something you know is impossible. Don't allow yourself to get discouraged in the very early stages of what could be a beautiful, brand new start. You were made to be you, just the way you are so don't change a thing. This new year of you is for focusing on every aspect of your life that is important and making it better than it already is.

So, for this new year I encourage you to be proud of who you are right now. Embrace your unique qualities and take everything you have been given and don't change it, just improve it. Don't focus so much on trying to lose weight, or on saving money. Focus on being the best you, you can be. It's the year of you. I pray it is everything you make it out to be. New year, same you...only better.