By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

What did you accomplish in 2015 – a new house, a new car, new job or success in your field of work?  None of the above necessarily defines success.  As humans we tend to place too much value on the secular and mundane successes of our lives.

In today’s economy, there are still many people unemployed and struggling with house payments, car payments, groceries, insurance, etc.  This does not necessarily signal failure, as many are caught in situations that are not of their doing.  Fires, wrecks, tornadoes, deaths, etc. can change circumstances in a split second.

In 2016 we need to individually do our best to ease the hardships of others.  Volunteering to help in problem situations, stocking the church pantry, being more understanding and charitable and generally helping others would seem the way to be truly successful.

The New Year is likely to be pretty gloomy for some, but if we set just a few goals based upon giving of ourselves to help others then perhaps 2016 will indeed be a successful and rewarding year.

As Christians we have to be aware everyday of the gift of Jesus.  Don’t forget what He accomplished in a little over thirty years and all that He suffered just for us.

Sometimes we allow ourselves a “pity party” of “what ifs” and “could have beens.”  Often times, life can seem kind of scary and be unknown territory for us.  Human failures, illness, deaths, jobs, financial worries and lack of faith can surely hang a heavy load on us.

Let’s decide to cherish this next year, to practice more faith, to rely more on our family, to build memories and to push ourselves to be the best we can possibly be.

My challenge to each of us is to look closely at our lives in this coming year and make a few adjustments for a better atmosphere of “hope and success” for the coming year.  As someone said “I might not be able to do much but I can still pray.”  In that same spirit I pray that each of you will have a blessed and successful 2016.