“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
I love the New Year! It’s a time to reflect on the past and usher in opportunities for change, for growth, and sometimes, for staying the course.
I’m also a Life Planner person. I love a good planner. One with color-coded markers, tabs, to-do lists, etc. I have never been able to switch over to a digital option; there is something therapeutic about looking at the blank pages each year, month, week, and filling them in. However, there is a special magic about opening a shiny, blank, brand-new planner in January.
As I launch into a new year, I love to look back over my old planner and remind myself of all the accomplishments, appointments, travel, good times, and even the not-so-good times. Doing this gives me a sense of accomplishment and helps me focus on what’s important, as well as what I thought was important at the time, but turned out not to be as earth-shattering as it seemed.
After some reflecting, I get my new calendar out and start to write in the important dates and tasks I already have scheduled, as well as my goals and initiatives for the upcoming year. Looking at those blank pages I wonder, “What will I be doing then?” “What will happen with….?” “What trips will I take?” It’s exciting to think about the possibilities! This once-a-year phenomenon is inspirational.
I wanted to share a few quotes that inspire me as I begin my first chapter of a new book. These affirmations remind me that the best is yet to come, and life is what you make of it. I hope they inspire you as well!
“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” ~ Michael Altshuler
“No matter how hard the past you can always begin again.” ~ Buddha
“It’s not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” ~ William Shakespeare
“Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.” ~ Robin Sharma
“Enter this year with a gratitude for this chance to create your dreams.” ~ Avina Celeste
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