January is named in honor of the Roman God “Janus”. He was said to have one head, but two faces. One face looked into the past while the other peered into the future. Thus he was also called the “god of thresholds”. For Janus, like we, stands at a threshold watching the doorway of the past close as the doorways of the future beckon to us.

We must learn from our past, for while the past doesn’t ever control the future, it often predicts or influences the future. How does it do this? Have you ever observed that when we look back on our or another’s life we often see the same pattern – the same challenges presented time and time again. It’s as if we are in school and we keep taking the same class again and again until we pass.

If we want to repeat these patterns then the past is a good indication of our future. If, on the other hand we want to emerge to a new level of freedom and a greater satisfaction of fulfillment, we must take responsibility for our past and ask two questions about our future.

For when we seek to blame our difficulties on others, or outside forces, or God, or just bad luck, we are giving our Divinely ordained power away. We are placing ourselves in the role of victim, a pawn swept around the board by forces and events entirely out of our control. The truth is that never, never are we caused to be or do anything by forces or influences outside of ourselves. The One Cause resides within each of us. The source of all power is the God within.

When we acknowledge this fact, the eternal present, not the past, becomes the shaper of our destiny.

We must ask ourselves two questions: (1) “What is God’s purpose for our life?” and, (2) “How can we change so that we may become better, more perfect vehicles to embody that purpose?”

The answer to the first question is easy. We are all here to manifest the unconditional love of God in all ways.

The answer to the second question is more complex. It is different for each of us because it involves our unique gifts as to how we may manifest this love. It may involve teaching, or healing, or mopping the floor. But, for each, it is special and it is important. Finding the answer deserves prayer, meditation and effort. We can be sure of one thing. If we ask God – the Divine will make it known – if we ask humbly and sincerely.

It is important to realize that we change ourselves not outer conditions, appearances or events and certainly not others. Those are all simply effects. Remember, the point of control, of mastery and transformation is the “Source” within.

When we dwell at that point of ever-present reality, we embrace the miracle of the moment and we can look to our future with the calm assurance that the universe is on our side as the great adventure unfolds.