What Miley Cyrus' New Year's Resolution Teaches Us

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In between the gift-giving and turkey stuffing, its human nature to think about what you'll do differently next year or, to the very least, make the new year better than the last.

For me, becoming debt-free is at the top of my list, including applying for Ph.D programs before I graduate with my Masters and re-applying to all the scholarships that turned me down last year. Oh, and getting back in the gym is somewhere in the mix.

That's a tough order, uh? The hardest part of setting a new year's resolution is simply staying on course, as teen pop icon Miley Cyrus explains, its easier said than done. When asked what was her 2010 resolution, Miley admitted: "I need to stop talking about things I want to do, and just go out there and do it." (Read more celebrities' 2010 resolutions here)

In some definitions, resolution means "firmness of purpose," a solution or "settling of a problem." In the Greek language, it means "untangling" or, as Miley said, to "get up and go." How could you perfect your academics if you didn't allow what you said and what you did to become tangled? If you had the "get up and go" mentality, what would you accomplish?

Granted, time machines don't exist outside of 80's movies. There are no telephone booths or magic cars that'll blast you back and forth between the future and your past, but you and God have the power to untangle what you said in 2010 and turning them into actions in 2011. He's your fixer-upper.

You can easily redeem your academic pursuits by first letting go of the past and resolve to start over. The year 2010 is nearly behind us; we have to concentrate on the many blessings in 2011. Now that we know better, we can do better from today onward.

Yes, the list of New Year's Resolutions may seem long, but the rewards are even greater. We are our own competition. If you say you'll study even when you don't have an exam coming up, be disciplined. If you're going to save $1,000 toward your tuition, have integrity while holiday shopping. Don't keep yourself from being blessed.

This morning's Facebook message from gospel minister & musician, Marvin Sapp, profoundly supports this point: "For everyone who feels like not trying again. 'Failure will never overtake you if your determination to succeed is strong enough.' Do you have the strength to begin again?"

Let's not discuss what happened last year; what are you looking to 'get up and get' in 2011? Do you have the strength to start over?