New Year Resolutions?

I really wish I had a list of resolutions a mile long because I love the idea of using a mark in time such as a new year, to plan and measure by. So different from a deadline. I feel for those folks whose lives have them working within the framework of a deadline. A goal is different from a deadline. I love goals, I set my goals, but I dislike deadlines, somebody else sets my deadlines. I'm digressing, my mind is blank. Ah here's a resolution, I'm going to make a daily list in a spiral notebook of mundane and artistic projects and cross through things on the list as I do them. Snap you say? Not for me. The very thought of taking the time to make a list makes my blood run cold in my veins. Two things, it's always a long list, there's always so much to do -am I wasting good paper? And second of all, with pen in hand butt in chair, I hear the siren voices in the mountainous land of laundry and the deafening non-whirr of the vacuum of the vacuum in the closet (double use of vacuum intended). But I've been told by a very successful artist acquaintance that, that's the key to getting stuff done and I think she has more life happening than I do (if that's possible). She even volunteers at the library and co-owns a gallery with 7 board meeting others. I would love to be a successful artist/gallery owner, I would love to even consider my self a successful artist. OK, truth be told I would love to be a successful 'something'. Wisdom says hang with successful people and you'll be a success. I think I'll just heed her advise, and make a list. OK! That's a resolution. Now what...fingers drumming...what do you do when you have one? Wouldn't it be nice if you had a resolution fairy godmother who bibbidy-bobbidy checked up on you to reinforce your intended effort? She'd say, 'good job! I see a scribble on a line!' Or even better if your resolution fairy said 'sit! sit! I'll put the clothes in the dryer'

Do you get the sense that some people just shouldn't make new year's resolutions?

.....weak voice, 'Fairy?....Fairy godmother?....'

Abraham Lincoln:
And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.

Happy New Year!

To Start A New Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anonymous

"A new year is unfolding—like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within.

Lord, let this year be filled with the things that are truly good—with the comfort of warmth in our relationships, with the strength to help those who need our help and the humility and openness to accept help from others.

As we make our resolutions for the year ahead, let us go forward with great hope that all things can be possible—with Your help and guidance."

Y Its so hard to believe that this year is coming to a close. It was a very difficult year in many ways. It was a very good year in many ways. One thing's for sure, this year has passed quickly.

Recipe for a Happy New Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anonymous

Take twelve fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate, cleanse them completely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past—have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way) but prepare one day at a time.

Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing— don’t do it), prayer, meditation, and one well-selected resolution. Put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.

Y We were affected by and had the same problems as the rest of the country, an nosedive into fear and fear of poverty, absolute amazment and outrage at the country's financial mismanagment, a roller coaster political ride and acceptance of a predictable political outcome, along with renewed pride in America and Americans.

I Am the New Year

I am the new year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.

I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.

All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination.

All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.

All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have—these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new."

Y We welcomed another family into our home, found light and love in the faces of our greatest blessings (our grandchildren), found great pride and joy in the lives and actions of our children, lost a family member to her poor choices, and were saddened by the drug users company she keeps and the drug life she is enmeshed in.

A New Year’s Prayer

Dear Lord, please give me…
A few friends who understand me and remain my friends;
A work to do which has real value,
without which the world would be the poorer;
A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed;
An understanding heart;
A sense of humor;
Time for quiet, silent meditation;
A feeling of the presence of God;
The patience to wait for the coming of these things,
With the wisdom to recognize them when they come. Amen.

Y I wish I had a simple answer when I wonder what was the best of 2008, but I feel like I lived in the twilight zone this past year. I think the disapointments were greater that the joys, and there were days where I was upheld purely by the Grace of God. There were times when my expectations of others were absolutely crushed and I had those moments of saying 'who are you' to people I thought I knew.

A New Year’s Prayer

May God make your year a happy one!
Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,
But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes;
Not by making your path easy,
But by making you sturdy to travel any path;
Not by taking hardships from you,
But by taking fear from your heart;
Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,
But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;
Not by making your life always pleasant,
But by showing you when people and their causes need you most,
and by making you anxious to be there to help.
God’s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead.

Y But it's all in the river 'bout a mile (or 10 miles or 100 miles) back or so, swimmin wit de fishies. I have passed it by. My river is a wild one, it has never ran smooth or straight. I look back some times, and I am simply amazed. Who needs past lives theories to cling to, I have lived many, several times over in this span of 50 years.

A Prayer for the New Year

Come, Holy Spirit,
Spirit of the Risen Christ, be with us today and always.
Be our Light, our Guide, and our Comforter.
Be our Strength, our Courage, and our Sanctifier.
May this new year be a time of deep spiritual growth for us,
A time of welcoming your graces and gifts,
A time for forgiving freely and unconditionally,
A time for growing in virtue and goodness.

Come, Holy Spirit,
Be with us today and always. Amen.

Y I wish I could say that my businesses just took off and I had the best year ever for my Etsy shops, but my sales were pitiful. I had the token one or two just to keep me inspired, and I am greatful for that. It's fun to sell stuff, and ship your art to China and France. I do not have the time to promote my shops so my sales were like gifts from God.

"A Morning Wish". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W.R. Hunt

"The sun is just rising on the morning of another day, the first day of the new year. What can I wish that this day, that this year, may bring to me?

Nothing that shall make the world of others poorer, nothing at the expense of others; but just those few things which in their coming do not stop with me but touch me rather, as they pass and gather strength:

A few friends who understand me, and yet remain my friends.
A work to do which has real value without which the world would feel the poorer.
A return for such work small enough not to tax unduly anyone who pays.
A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed.
An understanding heart.
A sight of the eternal hills and unbelting sea, and of something beautiful the individual hand has made.
A sense of humor and the power to laugh.
A little leisure with nothing to do.
A few moments of quiet, silent meditation. The sense of the presence of God.
And the patience to wait for the coming of these things, with the wisdom to know them when they come."

Y And here we are again at the end of the old and the begining of the new, I am ending and starting this year with Jesus, as I have no life apart from Him. He is there for me on those days when I am overwhelmed and uninspired and overcome with sadness.

New Year’s Message

"I asked the New Year for some message sweet,
Some rule of life with which to guide my feet;
I asked, and paused: it answered soft and low,
‘God’s will to know.’

‘Will knowledge then suffice, New Year?’ Aloud I cried.
And, ere the question into silence died,
The answer came, ‘Nay, but remember, too
God’s will to do.’

Once more I asked, ‘Is there no more to tell?’
And once again the answer sweetly fell,
‘Yes! this thing, all other things above:
God’s will to love.’"

Y I pray, Lord be merciful to me and bless me with your Grace. Strengthen me in your ways, and may Your Will be done.

New Year’s Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anonymous


"Heavenly Father, for this coming year
Just one request I bring.

I do not pray for happiness or any earthly thing.
I do not ask to understand the way you lead me;
But this I ask—teach me to do the thing that pleases You.
I want to know Your guiding voice,
To walk with you each day.

Heavenly Father,
Make me swift to hear and ready to obey;
And thus the year I now begin
A happy year will be,

If I am seeking just to do
The thing that pleases You."

Y I pray for my family, that you will shelter them under your wing, and increase the things that are Holy and Pure in their lives, and diminish the things that are unholy and impure. Increase their wisdom and power of will, and lesson their desire of things that are of no substance and benifit to your Kingdom.

A Prayer for the New Year

Come, Holy Spirit,
Spirit of the Risen Christ,
Be with us today and always.
Be our Light, our Guide,
And our Comforter.
Be our Strength, our Courage,
And our Sanctifier.

May this new year be a time
Of deep spiritual growth for us,
A time of welcoming
Your graces and gifts,
A time for forgiving freely
And unconditionally,
A time for growing
In virtue and goodness.

Come, Holy Spirit,
Be with us today and always.
Amen.

Y Come Holy Spirit, Amen

Poetry and prose from
http://www.appleseeds.org/index.htm