So many times we hear people make the statement that they can hardly wait to see the end of a certain year, usually meaning that the year was pretty horrific for them. It has always seemed interesting to me when people seem to blame a particular year for bringing hardships to them, as if the changing of a calendar page will bring improvements. I’m not saying this in a critical way. Not at all. Just an observation. I’ve probably thought or said the same thing at one time or another.
A year is a measurement of time–365 days–both good things and bad things will happen. It’s inevitable. But here’s a thought, perhaps it is the turning of the calendar that brings people hope, hope that things will improve.
Hope is an important thing in our lives. It’s what keeps us going when times are tough.
I do like the start of a New Year, because for some unexplainable reason, the starting of another year does fill me with hope, and hope is a pretty powerful thing. It’s what keeps us going when times get hard. There have been many times during my life when I felt hope slipping from me, but I’ve always been able to reach in deep and find it–eventually. It’s not always an easy thing. Sometimes, often times, it takes many attempts. Pulling hope out from a dark place doesn’t always come with a sudden surge or flash when you find it, sometimes it’s but a small thread we feel at the tips of our fingers, until eventually we discover a way to pull it out of the rubble of our own despair.
I don’t make resolutions. I do sometimes state intentions for the upcoming year. For me, that seems less restrictive and I’m not one for setting myself up for failure.
There are some things I hope to accomplish next year if things go as planned. Some of it has to do with inner work which, for me, is very important at this time in my life.
At Christmas we wish people peace and joy, but these things are important all year long. May you all find inner peace and joy as we go forward and may you always find hope when times feel dark.
This is my 700th blog post. I’ve been blogging for over twelve years now. I want to thank my loyal readers out there for taking their much valued time to read the things that are on my mind. I hope you know how very much that means to me.
Here’s a lovely quote by Meister Eckhart that has always been special for me
“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.“
Thank you!