Monday, January 2, 2012

In One Year & Out the Other

Thought for the day:  Cheers to a new year and another chance to get it right.  Oprah Winfrey

JANUS: Roman god of beginnings, transitions, and endings
This is the time of year I usually get a little two-faced. Maybe you do, too. Like Janus, I find myself looking both backward and forward each time a new year begins. You, too?

There's a certain sadness in closing the book on another year. A sense of loss for the people who've passed from our lives, nostalgia for joyous events now over and done with, and perhaps even a touch of regret for decisions made and opportunities missed. But, you know what? It's a NEW YEAR, people! It's okay to think about the past year, or even about all our past years, but let's not forget to look forward, too. If we spend too much time staring at the rear view mirror, how can we possibly appreciate the wide open road in front of us, and all the beautiful sights along the way?  Sure, we're all a year older, but doggone it, we're STILL Born to Be Wild. (sorta)




Okay, so we're not as young and fresh-faced as we used to be. Big whoop. We all have a brand new, soft-as-a-baby's-butt year ahead of us, and the possibilities are endless. We're all been given a clean slate, and it's up to us to grab the chalk and start scribbling.

I suppose the notion of a clean slate explains the age-old tradition of starting each new year with a long list of resolutions, and a determination to get it right. As Mark Twain said, Now is the time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.


Do you make resolutions? Not me. The only resolution I make is not to make any resolutions. I mean, why set myself up for failure? This would be me: Dear Lord, so far this year, I've done really well. I haven't overeaten, said anything stupid, forgotten anything important, skipped my daily exercise, or forgotten to floss. I'm very thankful for that, but in a few minutes, I have to actually get out of bed, and from then on, I'm probably gonna need a lot of help.


Oscar Wilde said, Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account. And, well, golly, I sure don't want to do that, now, do I? Better to make plans or set goals, but for me? Never, never, never call it a resolution.



An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in; a pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.  Bill Vaughn

Whether you consider yourself an optimist or pessimist, 2011 is kaput. Perhaps the champagne bottle is empty, and the candles extinguished, but there will be other bottles, and hope can always light the way, if you let it.

And, you know what? If you think about it, what lies behind us doesn't really matter all that much, and neither does what lies before us. When you get right down to it, the most important thing is what lies within us.





HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

In the new year, may your right hand be stretched out in friendship, but never in want.

Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.



33 comments:

  1. Damn those new year resolutions. Let's all eat, drink, and be merry, then do something about it in 2013.

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  2. Aw..look at those little new years babies...so cute. Here's to getting it right this year.

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  3. I say something stupid practically every day of my life, so that prayer won't work for me. I like the idea of looking backward and forward, it's what I love about this time of year. Happy New Year Susan!

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  4. LOVED your video AND Mark Twain's quote. Guess there's something to be said for the NEW and the OLD.

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  5. Resolutions, smezolutions. I don't make them either. Why do I need a new year to do something? If I want to improve something or desire something a week from next Thursday is just as good.

    I like the optimist/pessimist quote. So fitting, especially for the boohooers out there. No matter the trials of life, we can always find more good to outweigh the bad.

    Bring on 2012! I am ready. :D

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  6. As always, Susan, a FABULOUS post. I try not to look back, although I do. I don't make resolutions because I always break them. I also try not to look forward too much either, why be disappointed in retrospect (if that makes any sense. Like I keep saying I want to spend all of July this year at the beach and if it doesn't happen I'll be soooo disappointed.)

    Anyway, here's to 2012. May it be filled with love, laughter and happiness for you and your family!

    Are those your grandbabies in the pic? SOOOO cute!

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  7. I do resolutions every week. Some are successful, most aren't, however, I can always start over the next Monday.

    What is so funny about the video, is that it is very true, but what the heck, I am still breathing and still vertical - all very positive signs. I hope to always be looking for the next party.

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  8. If only it were a clean slate... bills paid, relationships mended, football over. But WTF? It's the thought that counts, right? Zip-a-dee Do Dah, Zip-a-dee Day.

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  9. Happy New Year, all! It sure is good to hear from you again.

    Cro- There ya go. How about a resolution to eat more good food, drink more red wine, (Hey! It's GOOD for ya!)and be more merry. THOSE resolutions I could keep.

    Delores- Sounds good. Worth a whirl around the dance floor, anyway.

    Karen- I like this time of year, too. Nothing like a fresh start to rejuvenate hope.

    Dianne- Lots of good things to say about the OLD. (Like social security?)I reckon it's up to us what we make of the NEW.

    Skippy- Atta girl! I love your attitude.

    Anne- Sounds like you're a real "carpe diem" kinda gal, and that's a great way to be. No, those two younguns aren't our grandchildren, but they sure are cuties, aren't they?

    Arleen- If that's what you enjoy, I hope you're always looking for the next party, too. I think I've pretty much had my fill of 'em. (Wellll, maybe if it's at somebody ELSE'S house, and I don't have to do all the cooking and cleaning.)

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  10. Mr. C- Yup, my oh my, what a wonderful day. Hey, WAIT! Football over? No, no, no, the Falcons are going to the play-offs, man! And they're not facing the Saints in the first round! Let's enjoy it while it lasts, okay?

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  11. I am going with an affirmation this year instead of a resolution.

    To follow my joy.

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  12. Well, that was a wonderful post. And uh oh, what does it mean if you go to bed before midnight? ;) I gave up on resolutions years ago (I agree), but decided to write some attainable ones this year, for some strange reason. That video is hilarious, oh my goodness. And bless those little grandbabies *squish* and your good self. :)

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  13. Tina- Affirmations are a good way to go. Enjoy the joy.

    Carrie- Uh oh, I reckon if you go to bed before the big ball drops, you've (gasp!) grown up. How dastardly a development! Don't worry; it happens to the best of us.

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  14. Hi Susan! Happy New Year! Your comments made me burst out laughing! Great post! I try to make 1 doable resolution! I love your closing - so true, especially in these economic times!

    Mary

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  15. New Years is a bit like birthdays. We spend an entire year leading up to it and finally we have to claim the new number. But that's all it is, just a number. What I like is the fresh page feeling that comes with it.

    Happy New Year!

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  16. Hi, Mary. Always good to start the year off with a laugh. Yeah, doable resolutions are good. Like gain another five pounds. I could probably handle that one.

    Donna- Yes, I love the fresh page feeling, too, like anything is possible. Happy New Year to you, too.

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  17. You know, I actually resolved one year to quit smoking and I did it. New Year's day hurt like heck, but I got through it. It's been over twenty years now. That's the only resolution I've ever kept. :)

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  18. Hi, LG. Well, if you're ever gonna keep a resolution, that's a dandy one to keep. Good for you.

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  19. No resolutions for me! I'm always saying something stupid and I just came in from the other room for which I have no idea why I went there. :)

    Happy New Year!
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  20. I'm just gonna do like I always do, keep writing 'til I get it right. Happy New Year :)

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  21. I love the looking back and forward. It is exactly how I feel these last few days. I want to appreciate the past and learn from it and then MOVE FORWARD. Happiest New Year, Susan!

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  22. I love your attitude! Happy New Year Susan. I'm looking forward to another fun year blogging together.

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  23. Yeah, I'm not much for resolutions either.

    I loved the photo of the babies!

    Happy New Years!

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  24. Happy New Year, my love! I hope that 2012 is awesome for you and your family.

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  25. Great post, thanks for sharing - I loved all the quotes and the video too. I hope you have a great new year!!!

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  26. I've never been one for resolutions either.
    Happy new year!

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  27. Jules- That's why seniors are so good at multi-tasking. We do half a dozen things when we go into a room before we remember what the heck we went in there for. Happy New Year. Hope you got rid of that nasty cold.

    Marcy- There ya go. If it ain't broke, why fix it? Good luck with your writing ... but keep on taking those gorgeous pictures, too!

    Tracy- Same to you, dear lady. I hope the new year treats you kindly.

    Kara- Back atcha. We Schweddy Balls lovers have gotta stick together.

    Wendy- Same to you. Thanks for stopping by.

    Connie- Your life is so busy, you've got no time for resolutions! Take care, and a very happy new year to you and your family.

    Bonnie- Thank you. Golly, fashion plates don't usually stop by around here. I appreciate the pop-in, and a very happy new year to you and yours.

    Lynn- Thank you, dear lady, and the same back atcha.

    Al- Happy New Year to you, too, dear sir. Keep on taking those wonderful pictures. (Still waiting to see my platypus!)

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  28. Susan, What a great title and this post just kept on getting better! You even managed to sock it to Oprah! Very funny cartoon, and I loved your line about getting out of bed! This was a wonderful way to kick-off 2012! Happy and healthy New Year to you and your family! Julie P.S. Adorable baby pics!

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  29. Happy New Year! We're not getting older, we're getting bitter. :)

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  30. Julie- Thanks. Glad ya enjoyed it. All the best in the new year to you and your family, too.

    Austan- Oh, I love that line!

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  31. Hi Susan .. loved the video - Have a very good year ahead .. cheers Hilary

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  32. Glad you liked the video, and a very happy new year to you, too.

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