Steve Alessi: Author of Alessi’s Angle, Pastor of Metro Life Church in Miami, Husband of World Renown Worship Leader Mary Alessi and Father of Four. 
One of the things I look forward to with the New Year is the chance to do a re-boot on my life. As much as I think I have it all together, I realize certain areas can use definite improvement and January 1st gives me that opportunity.
My line of work allows me to realize I'm not alone in this. Each week I see brave people who have looked at their lives and said "I want to be better." Life is no doubt good for them, but they're wanting great. Greater love in their relationships, greater success in their careers, greater fulfillment and joy out of life. That's how humanity has been hard wired, so the New Year is always celebrated with that thought in mind as it gives us the chance of a do-over.
My oldest daughter and I were up early this week to watch the sunrise and as we were waiting for the sun to make it's appearance over the Eastern sky line, I watched her play with her hair, as she always does. I thought about correcting her with a "stop playing with your hair" as is my customary scolding, but stopped just short of blurting out the words. I thought back to my early "bad habits" that haunted my own life when I was her age. First, it was biting my nails in my teens as I would chew nervously until blood would flow. Then, in my twenties I picked up twirling my hair, and even find myself reverting from time to time now that I'm in my 50's. My wife Mary was the one doing the scolding then.
Biting nails or playing incessantly with one's hair may simply be a nervous twitch to some people, but let's face it, there are much more damaging habits or hang-ups that could be causing us serious set backs in our lives. Because of my line of work, I get to rub shoulders with courageous people regularly who are making the adjustments in their lives for the better. I shook hands with one of them just a couple of weeks ago, and after I had complimented him on how well he was looking he leaned in and told me that he had been cigarette free for two weeks, pot free for three months, and alcohol free for six months. Talk about hero status. As he walked away with his beautiful wife in hand and two gorgeous children, I thought to myself, "now that's a true champion."
Sitting on the beach watching the sunrise this week, it was cold, dark and windy. We had checked our iPhones to see the exact time the sun was going to rise and with a few minutes to spare we waited. Before we knew it, boom, there the sun appeared and quickly took it's place in the horizon with its beams bouncing off the Atlantic. We sat in awe for those few minutes amazed at the beauty of God's creation as it seemed all of nature stood still for just a brief minute to greet the golden life giver. I immediately could sense a change occur as the temperature became warmer and the wind died down a bit. Seemingly, the sun with it's arrival announced it's a new day and all of nature took notice with a beautiful response.
2012 is a New Year, January a New Month, and today is a New Day with a new set of opportunities. Make the most of this new beginning and break free from the behaviors that are limiting and hindering you. They tell us that a new habit is formed the moment a new decision is made, so today make that decision to make the clean break. Before you know it, others will begin taking notice of the true Champion that's in you.
I'd like to share with you two resources that I know will encourage you. First is a song my wife Mary recorded entitled "Pressing On" which is available to you now as a free download. Secondly, join me for the "12/12/12 Building a Championship Life" event this weekend, January 7th (6:00 PM) & 8th (9:00 & 11:00 AM) at www.metrolifechurch.cc. The highlight will be a burning ceremony where we'll say goodbye to the past so we can embrace the future. Everyone needs a do-over every now and then since we're all humans. I shared a couple of my nagging bad habits above, how about you? What are some of yours?
So looking forward to this weekend and the opportunity for a clean break. Thank you Pastor for reminding us that we ALL have room for improvement.
Can't wait till this weekend!
I certainly can say I too am Victorious and thankful for the love of God, his unconditional love that brought me to this wonderful Church I call home. I went through the Celebrate Recovery program so I definitely know about "bad habits" and struggles. I'm looking forward to this weekend to say goodbye to 2011 and hello to 2012 to improve even more than I did in 2011
Bad habits?
till I was 17 years old I bit my nails till they bled like you...
I make this weird mummy face whenever I'm focusing on something.... kinda of freaks people out!
I too play with my hair
Shake my leg when I'm anxious non-stop
and just too many to name here hahaha... thanks for a great blog and see you soon!
What a wonderfully written and inspiring blog post, thanks Pastor! I have lots of bad habits to break...my sister Rachia just reminded me today of one, that I talk way too fast. She said that she couldn't keep up with my brain flow patterns,lol! I'll work on that one, and all of the others. Can't wait for church this weekend as 2012 is set into clear focus, and vision is refined.
You're right Pastor. There is always room for improvement.
It's never a surprise Pastor you hitting the hammer on the nail. What's funny is that my phone must have read your blog sooner than I since it was acting up and to get it working RIGHT well then had to WIPE IT CLEAN/REBOOT.. start From Scratch..NO resetting No obtaining OLD Files from ICLOUD/ITUNES and so my FB status earlier was :So it seems my phone also wanted to start the NEW YEAR FRESH & From Scratch! It is Now WIPED Clean! "..The old life is gone; a new life has begun" I Cor. 5:17! #startstrong #decision2012
That being said..I'm totally excited about this weekend (not excited about having to get waterproof mascara which i'm sure i'll need) and getting rid of what's behind me now and I get to do it with ALL OF YOU , MY FONKETE (the funk) MLC Family! #championlife
Mory, This weekend is going to be crazy, especially for us imperfect people.
thanks for this... it was great. :) i'm looking forward to this weekend.
As for bad habits... the list is long but i'll name a few.
- i also used to bite my nails as a kid, now i just pick at the nail polish. :)
- I say "huh" or "what happened" all the time without needing to. (it annoys Al and Nat all the time. :)
I'll keep the rest all to myself and burn them at the alter this weekend!
See ya!
Got the vic over nailbiting when I was 20.Love the way you put the cookies on a shelf anyone can reach.Happy New Year! You are loved and admired!
2012 is going to be amazing! Making the decision to make a clean break! Thanks Pastor.
thank you for your empowering words Pastor! always looking forward to your blog and for service each weekend!
Looking forward to a clean break (This weekend)...Always room for IMPROVEMENT thank u for reminding us!!! I always enjoy how we have one full week to think about this challenge...PRESSING ON Pastor!!!
Pastor Steve my husband and I are new to Metro Life and have been attending service for about a month. I knew the minute I walked in the sanctuary that Metro was the place that God was leading us to for such a time as this. However, it took my husband a tad bit longer to see that (LOL!) This past Sunday as we signed the roll sheet,my heart fluttered when I saw he had checked off the place that said " I want to join!" So... not only am I looking forward to the candle burning this weekend I am also looking forward to a new start at my new chruch home Metro Life Chruch!!!
P.S. I still bite my Nails!!!!!
My bad habits are covert...I have a tendency to run away from situations, confrontations and issues. For example, the oil light goes on in the car, I know it needs an oil change but I'll ignore it until it's on all the time or the engine explodes. Not a good one with humans or mechanics.
That's why after CR 12 steps I have committed to facing my issues, that oil light went off this week but by golly I fixed it. I am leaving behind the old me that had me bound, I have about a ream of paper to burn this weekend. Thanks for the good word again Pastor!
Clean Break & a Fresh Start -- This Kick-Off service will be AMAZING !!!
Bad Habits?? ABSOLUTELY NONE!! - Except Lying :-)
Oh... and Negativity - But I'll NEVER get over that one...
(That was a JOKE...hope you got it)
Ok seriously; several can be listed but here's one...
1. Cussed like a sailor (stopped at 24 yrs.old)
So looking forward to the NEW & IMPROVED 2012 !!!!!!!! Thx, Pastor
Great message Pastor!! Really lookin forward to 2012!!!
As many have said...bad habits?? A lot!
I move my legs constantly when Im sitting, to the point that people have to tell me to Stop!! Don't know wht but done it all my life.
Also the tendency to leave things to the last minute!! One of this year's resolution is to take discipline in everything that I do!
Im so thankful that I get to start fresh every year. one of my favorite thing to do in life is watch to sunrise or set! I cannot wait till Sunday. Thanks for sharing