31 December 2013 - Some Thoughts on the New Year

* * * * *

“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.” 

- Neil Gaiman (1960 - ), 

 English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. 

* * * * *

“New Year's is a harmless annual institution, of no particular use to anybody save as a scapegoat for promiscuous drunks, and friendly calls and humbug resolutions.”

- Mark Twain (1835 – 1910), 

American author and humorist

* * * * *

"The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written."

- Melody Beattie (1948 - ), 

American self-help author 

* * * * *

"Now there are more overweight people in America than average-weight people. So overweight people are now average… which means, you have met your New Year's resolution."

- Jay Leno (1950 - ), 

American comedian, actor, voice actor, writer, producer and television host.

* * * * *

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” 

- Oprah Winfrey (1954 - ), 

American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist.

* * * * *

“Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.”

- Hal Borland (1900 – 1978),

American author and journalist. 

* * * * *

"Your Merry Christmas may depend on what others do for you. But your Happy New Year depends on what you do for others."

- Anonymous

* * * * *

What can be said in New Year rhymes,

That's not been said a thousand times?

The new years come, the old years go,

We know we dream, we dream we know.

We rise up laughing with the light,

We lie down weeping with the night.

We hug the world until it stings,

We curse it then and sigh for wings.

We live, we love, we woo, we wed,

We wreathe our prides, we sheet our dead.

We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear,

And that's the burden of a year.

- Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919), 

American author and poet. 

* * * * *

Clara Bow, the “It” Girl from Hollywood’s silent film days, introduces the new year in 1927.

* * * * *

I take this opportunity of wishing you all a Happy New Year, 
may 2014 be your Annus Magnificum.

* * * * * * * * *