I thought I had to leave behind what is me and to instead learn “what I should be” to succeed. Time went on and my stubbornness rebelled against this artificial “what I should be.” But today I am still at work, though I am more casually dressed and like to think that in reference to that quote I am starting to feel what it is to both finish and begin.

You could call it a "mistake" not to finish the road to truth or even not to start it at all - or you could call it a "choice". However, I do personally believe that with regards to the road to truth - "The only way out is through"

Yes, "new beginnings" is redundant. As redundant as "the time is now." "New" is whatever isn't "old" yet! For example, being 50 years old is "new" to someone who just turned 50. But for that same person, being 30 is not "new," it's..."old."

I think the phrase "new beginnings" acknowledges the fact that we've had thousands of previous beginnings, some of which never came to the desired conclusions. New year is usually a time to "start over", like with a clean slate. Of course it's completely psychological, the new year can start on any given day for all I know... Anyway, happy new year...

To me "new beginnings" is a phrase that denotes a positive shift in attitude - a different path to tread and a different approach to life. A change in attitude that helps you grow as a person. Therefore new beginnings can happen at any point in time.

I love new beginnings....

Something inherent in all beginnings (new or otherwise) is that something else had to end. Sometimes we get so caught up in the shiny and new that we lose track of why we decided that previous "thing" required an ending in the first place. Remembering the old can often help us establish the best course of (and maintain motivation for) our "new beginning" - whether it's a shift in business model or simply a determination to stick to a healthier diet.