I wanted to write one more post, in this busy, blurry time between holidays. What words will sum up 2015 for you? In spite of the precarious state of our world (climate, terror, finances, politics), I will offer these:
- Hope. Without hope, we live in a world full of despair. “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all. ” (Emily Dickinson)
- Remembrance. Many of my friends lost loved ones this year, and whether death was expected or not, there is a loss. Fill it with fond memories. “There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief.” (Aeschylus)
- Words. Written or spoken, read or heard, words are powerful. Choose them carefully. “Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble.” (Yehuda Berg)
- Challenge. Life is hard! Doing the right thing isn’t always easy, it’s simply right. “My greatest challenge has been to change the mindset of people. Mindsets play strange tricks on us. We see things the way our minds have instructed our eyes to see.” (Muhammad Yunus)
- Warmth. Yes, our planet is heating up. Ice is melting, winter is warm. Do your little part. “Keep close to Nature’s heart…and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” (John Muir)
And, as I do each year, here is my favorite performer singing a beautiful song for year’s end. Peace.
Hi Martha,
Thanks for the thoughtful post.
My word for 2015 would be “transition “. I’ve watched my son go off to college, sold a home, among numerous other changes ~ but each one is leading me to where I am supposed to be. I will ride this wave of life until my surfboard breaks.
Wishing you the happiest of new years,
Carol
My dad had an orchestra and worked on the holidays. Sometimes I went along to sing. Auld Lang Syne brings back many memories of these New Years Celebrations and his saxophone playing this haunting melody when the clock struck midnight. His will always be my favorite version.
Well said, Martha. Happy New Year!
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Thanks, Michele, and Happy New Year to you and your family! 🍾🍾🍾
Martha, what a beautiful post! I, too, am a huge fan of James Taylor, and his rendition of AULD LANG SYNE is especially appreciated. Have you ever heard the Celtic woman’s version? It’s different, but haunting in its own way. Posting a link to YouTube. If it doesn’t take, just ‘google’ YouTube and Celtic Woman / Auld Lang Syne.
My word for 2015: GRATITUDE…. for the many blessings that God has provided in my life, and in the lives of my family and friends. I lost my mom this year, but I’m so grateful she passed in peace. I’m grateful for my guy Steve, husband of 35 years, and the love of my life. He, too, has survived yet another severe infection that threatened to take him from me. I’m grateful for our daughter, our grandchildren, and all the dear ones, near and far. And I’m grateful for my writing, too… a gift from God. As you said, ‘words are powerful… choose them wisely.’ As we look forward to 2016, I’m looking forward to retirement from my day job and writing full-time. I will remember your advice, and try my best to ‘choose my words wisely’.
Happy New Year to you, dear friend!
~ Kathleen
Gratitude indeed, Kathleen! And since I’ve followed your year of grief, and worry, and joy, I do understand. I’m so excited for this new chapter in your life – congratulations! And here’s to 2016! 🍾🍾🍾
Lovely, thoughtful post. Peace to you too. My favourite version of Auld Lang Syne is by The Cast which I first heard in the unlikely setting of Sex and the City – though I’m a James Taylor fan too.
Thank you, Anabel. I will now find The Cast’s version! 💕💕💕