Stepping into the New Year

Usually I am hopeful and full of joy for the new year. This year I’m weary. This year I felt drained of creativity. I didn’t read much. I didn’t find much joy in my work. I found myself not wanting to do much of anything but hide away. I am determined next year to take myself in hand. I am going to be a force for good. I’m going to honor generosity, friendship, kindness, courage. I am going to bring joy where I can. I’m going to spread what happiness I can. And I’m going to fight for hope. I’m going to plant flowers.

 

From In Memoriam, By Alfred Lord Tennyson

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
   The flying cloud, the frosty light:
   The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
   Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
   The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind
   For those that here we see no more;
   Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
   And ancient forms of party strife;
   Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
   The faithless coldness of the times;
   Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
   The civic slander and the spite;
   Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
   Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
   Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
   The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
   Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

One Comment

  • Marcia Wilson

    Your comments are exactly the way 2017 felt to me. 2017 was a complete drag and it seemed there was no escaping all of the negativity. Simple events such as watching the news forced tRump into my brain and I could not get away from his grotesque presence. So….I’m a day behind, and I don’t have a green thumb to plant flowers, but I do have the ability to get off my duff and work to replace the rumps with valid politicians. I can also attempt to think more positive on a regular basis …. plus I can read MORE books!! Thank you for the encouraging words!!

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