No, I haven't gone and lost my senses, or had too much proverbial wine.  Just as we have a calender to mark our year, the Catholic Church has her calender.  It is called a Liturgical Calender and the first day on this calender is the first day of Advent, which this year is Dec. 3.  For more reading on Advent go to "The true meaning of Advent"

On New Years it is customary to make resolutions, so what better time to make resolutions to improve our spiritual life than on the first day of Advent.  It can be the start to a new life, or at least an improved one.  A new beginning.  Some ideas - Say the rosary X number of times a week, improve prayer life by setting aside a certain time of day, read the bible more or other spiritual material.  Anything you think would bring you closer to God. 

Today's reading's had a strong effect on me.  (Dan 12:1-3; Heb 10:11-14, 18; Mk 13:24-32) You may say it put a scare into me.  They are all about the coming of the Lord and the end of our lives here on earth.  Although a fear of spending an eternity living "in everlasting horror and disgrace", should not be my only reason for turning to God now, I don't think He will turn me away.  As a parent there are certain things I want my children to stay away from - drugs, sex, theft etc... and if the fear of getting caught and thrown in jail, or contracting a STD, keeps them from doing it, then I will be happy with that.  I know as they grow and mature, their reasonings for living a life without these will change, and it will be because they know it is the 'right' thing to do and how God wants them to live their lives.  God is a loving father and knows that my reasons for coming back to Him will grow and outshine my fear of living without Him.

My thought and strength for this New Year is this -

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  Mt 19:25-27