"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day."
- Edith Lovejoy Pierce
As we ring in a fresh new year with enthusiasm and resolve, it’s interesting to read what writers have said on the subject in the past.
"One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things." - John Burroughs
"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." - Benjamin Franklin
"Time has no divisions to mark its passage, there is never a thunder-storm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols." - Thomas Mann
"Yesterday, everybody smoked his last cigar, took his last drink and swore his last oath. Today, we are a pious and exemplary community. Thirty days from now, we shall have cast our reformation to the winds and gone to cutting our ancient shortcomings considerably shorter than ever."
- Mark Twain
"For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning."
- T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding"
Here’s to a creative, adventurous, and successful 2012!
Do you have a favorite New Year's quote?
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Welcome 2012!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.
ReplyDeleteBecause 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.
Neil Gaiman
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Neil!
ReplyDeleteSharon
ReplyDeleteI love the book Opportunity!
And also enjoyed Twain's humorous comments on good intensions gone awry
My thoughts for the New Year - work, work, work! And look for Opportunity!
Eileen
Thanks for sharing, Eileen. Let's hope that through our hard work opportunity will come-a-knocking for each of us!
ReplyDelete