What better way to end the year 

and to enjoy this night 

than a peaceful mind, 

a contented heart 

and glittering eyes 

to see the magic of life everywhere. 

This year is soon history. 

May its end make history 

by being a time where people were kind 

to themselves and others 

and found peace between them 

and in their hearts too, 

overflowing and never-ceasing. 

Let it be. 

Let it be. 

Let it be.

“May Light always surround you;

Hope kindle and rebound you.

May your Hurts turn to Healing;

Your Heart embrace Feeling.

May Wounds become Wisdom;

Every Kindness a Prism.

May Laughter infect you;

Your Passion resurrect you.

May Goodness inspire

your Deepest Desires.

Through all that you Reach For,

May your arms Never Tire.”

― D. Simone 

"As this year comes to a close, 

put a period on the end of it and be done...

turn the page. 

It is time to begin a new chapter a new journey. 

Don't look back on the old chapters 

unless it is to see how far you have come. 

Be grateful that a new chapter is beginning. 

Embrace all the wonderful things that it has to offer. 

Take a deep breath and enjoy the Journey."

~Kim Bayne "Live Life Positively"

I hope that in this year to come, 

you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, 

then you are making new things, 

trying new things, learning, living, 

pushing yourself, changing yourself, 

changing your world. 

You're doing things you've never done before, 

and more importantly, 

you're Doing Something.

So that's my wish for you, 

and all of us, 

and my wish for myself. 

Make New Mistakes. 

Make glorious, amazing mistakes. 

Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. 

Don't freeze, don't stop, 

don't worry that it isn't good enough, 

or it isn't perfect, 

whatever it is: 

art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, 

Do it.

Make your mistakes, 

next year and forever.

If I’ve learned anything from life, 

it’s that sometimes, 

the darkest times can bring us to the brightest places.

I’ve learned that the most toxic people can teach us 

the most important lessons; 

that our most painful struggles can grant us 

the most necessary growth; 

and that the most heartbreaking losses of friendship and love 

can make room for the most wonderful people. 

I’ve learned that what seems like a curse in the moment 

can actually be a blessing, 

and that what seems like the end of the road 

is actually just the discovery

 that we are meant to travel down a different path. 

I’ve learned that no matter how difficult things seem,

there is always hope. 

And I’ve learned that no matter how powerless we feel 

or how horrible things seem, 

we can’t give up. 

We have to keep going. 

Even when it’s scary, 

even when all of our strength seems gone, 

we have to keep picking ourselves back up 

and moving forward, 

because whatever we’re battling in the moment, 

it will pass, and we will make it through. 

We’ve made it this far. 

We can make it through 

whatever comes next. 

~ Daniell Koepke

In this day that stands before you, 

you cannot be certain 

that you will have many chances

 for growth, for kindness to others,
for developing confidence in yourself. 

Be thoughtful in your actions. 

They are indeed special 

and will be repeated no more.  

Appreciate the design of your life today. 

Draw yourself close to the day 

and all that it holds.

If you are at a point in your life

 where you are not sure what you need to do,

 which path to take,

 or whether you are doing the right thing.

 That's probably because your soul is wanting

 you to delve deep within yourself 

and find what you truly want from your life.

 Your soul is trying to guide you 

towards your life's path.

Please take a moment 

to think what you really want to do 

that you haven't done so far, 

and what would make you happy.

 That's probably the answer to your confusion.

All your answers are 

within yourself. 

If you touch a hot frying pan, 

it burns you, 

but next time you will be more careful.

If you fall down, 

you get up and try again and again 

until you don't fall as much.

If you run a race and lose, 

your feet and legs hurt for days afterwards. 
But you learn to train more, 

prepare more and run faster.  

You appreciate the joy of winning.

If someone you love dies, 

you learn to love the people who remain 

even more.

If you experience humiliation, 

you learn how to be humble 

and to take time to praise, 

flatter and lift up others.

If you love so bad it hurts, 

you learn that love has two sides.  

To love and to be loved.  

They don't always go hand in hand.

So, my friend, 

if you are experiencing pain in your life, 

ask God to show you
the lesson to be learned from it.

"Pain has Purpose"

"I wish you enough pain 

so that the smallest joys in life 
 appear much bigger."

 "I believe in you!"

Bob Perks 

Sometimes we don't realize how big the little things in life really are. Many of us remember the small memories from when we were young like going to get ice cream on a hot summer day with our mother or father, or some other kind of memory that brought us joy that is small, but has had a greater effect on our lives than we really know. Sometimes we just have to take time out to enjoy the small things in life like the smell of fresh coffee in the morning. 

The little things in life are what connect us to the bigger things in life. A simple daily hug to a lover or a family member may not seem that huge everyday, but when they are gone just the memory of this embrace can be a fulfilling memory that will make you smile. Never underestimate doing the little things, and make sure that you go out of your way to do them because you will reap the rewards for doing so for the rest of your life.

- Joy in the moments -

The most consistently miserable people are those who can’t be happy unless everything always goes their way. The most consistently happy and fulfilled people are those who decide to enjoy and make the best of whatever comes their way.

It’s great to expect the best for yourself, because your expectations drive your reality. Yet life will deliver many unexpected twists, turns and disappointments on the way to fulfilling those expectations.

Making yourself miserable about those disappointments and misfortunes won’t achieve anything positive. Stop and think how much more effective you would be if you could simply accept those disappointments and then move on past them.

Expect the best, and make the most of the rest. That’s the quickest way to get where you’re going while finding plenty of joy in the precious moments along the way.

— Ralph Marston

Life is like a winding path surrounded by flowers,
 butterflies, and delicious fruit, 
but many of us spend much of life 
looking for happiness around the next corner. 
We do not bend to enjoy the happiness, 
which is ours for the taking just at our feet.

In our desire to reach the "pot of gold," 
the complete and lasting happiness we all want 
to fill our lives, 
we ignore anything which doesn't seem worthy 
of such a large ambition, 
or which can't give us the whole thing all at once. 

Happiness is all around us, 
but it often comes in small grains. 
When we gather it grain by grain, 
we soon have a basketful.

- Turn Around -

When you discover that you're feeling negative, you have two
choices. you can feel even more negative about the fact that
you're feeling negative, or you can choose to turn your
thoughts around.

 

When you've suffered a defeat, you can make it even worse
by beating yourself up about it. Or, you can use it as a
Positive inspiration to turn yourself around and move
forward in a more effective way.

 

The moment you realize you've strayed from the path, use
that realization as a clear and compelling signal. use it as
a signal that it's time to re-commit to the original goal
and get yourself back on track.

 

Sure, it's unfortunate that you've temporarily lost your
way. But there's no reason to add to that misfortune.

In this moment, you can choose any direction, no matter what
has just happened. So choose a positive, empowering
direction that will bring out the best in you.

 

This is your opportunity to act with renewed determination
and purpose. Turn around, and get yourself going forward
again.

 

~Ralph Marston~

 

- Excitement of Christmas -

The excitement of Christmas is here.
Such a joyous time of the year.
Soon the day of celebration,
Children waiting with anticipation.
 
Fun in decorating the evergreen. 
Many a window exhibiting the preen.
Adorned with bright colored lights,
Twinkling ever so bright in the night.
 
Presents wrapped under the tree
In bright colored paper for all to see.
Anxious tots with hearts ever so giddy.
Will Christmas morn ever be ready?
 
The day approaches every so slowly
And yet the days pass so swiftly.
Not too soon for the young of heart
To see Santa and reindeer arrive.

~Malta DEC 2006~

- My Younger Days -

  When I was in my younger days,
  I weighed a few pounds less,
  I needn't hold my tummy in
  to wear a belted dress.

  But now that I am older,
  I've set my body free;
There's comfort of elastic
  Where once my waist would be.

  Inventor of those high-heeled shoes
My feet have not forgiven;
  I have to wear a nine now,
  But I used to wear a seven.

And how about those pantyhose-
They're sized by weight, you see.
  So how come when I put them on,
  The crotch is at my knees?

  I need to wear these glasses
  As the prints were getting smaller;
  And it wasn't very long ago
  I know that I was taller. 

  Though my hair has turned to silver
  and my skin no longer fits,
On the inside, I'm the same old me,
  Just the outside's changed a bit.

~ Maya Angelou  ~