Be like the sun. rejoice and spread warmth.

​Even if you aren't a big reader or even believer of the bible, I think still - it offers many lessons and imagery that can contribute to our greater good.

This morning's biblical imagery of the sun is especially helpful to me.

Because if you're like the sun, you have another day. And if you're a runner like me - or if you have any sort of routine that gets your blood pumping each day - then you rejoice at the chance to once again run your course.

For many of us - not all - this is the official beginning of the new year. Our first day back to work or school or some other regular routine after some down time. It's the day when our resolutions start to require a lot more of our resolve.

This morning's psalm is a good reminder for me. As I start this new week and this new year - with new goals and new commitments - it can feel overwhelming. I have new checkboxes, spreadsheets, lists and other accountability systems in place to keep me focused.

They can all indeed keep me focused. They can also keep me distracted.

I'm reminded this morning that the sun does one thing consistently. No matter what the day brings - the sun keeps bringing the warmth.

We are going to have unseen obstacles come our way today. And tomorrow. Our checklists and accountability systems are going to sound less exciting now that we actually have to do the things on those lists and not just write them. We might even discover we were a little ambitious with our goals. We overextended ourselves.

I think today's psalm is a good reminder that no matter what this day throws our way, no matter what hurdles suddenly include themselves on our checklists, we still have this day. We have this day and we can rejoice about that.

And more - no matter what happens this day - we have an opportunity to spread warmth over the entire course of it.

I mean if we all just decided to do that - only that - rejoice that we have this day and spread warmth to one another - that might move us to places this year our checklists could have never imagined.

Rejoice and spread your warmth. Happy Monday. And for some - an official happy new year....