Thursday, December 31, 2015

Farewell to the Old - Bring in the New


The last day of 2015. 

The beautiful planet Venus shines above 
Mt. Rainier and the Cascade range at first light. 

Like most years, we've had our share of love and loss, 
heartache and happiness. 

It was a memorable year. 

We gained a first Grandchild and lost a Father. 

Celebrated a niece's wedding 3000 miles away,
 and a milestone birthday for me at the coast.

We lost our rescue dog, Champ, 
and gained a new buddy, Kai. 

We had personal heartache and sorrow, 
 but, also, plenty of love, fun and laughter.


And like all of you, my Dear Friends, 
we have witnessed a world that is 
always changing. 

We've prayed for all those who have suffered, 
and prayed for peace and enlightenment 
in a world that sometimes seems to have gone completely mad. 


But as we've all seen, it is at these moments
that mercy, and the love of mankind for one another,
shines most bright. 


I am an eternal optimist. 

I firmly believe that we have all been chosen
to be here in this time and place on earth, 
to bring peace and harmony
to a world that greatly needs our help. 


Small acts of kindness ripple outwards
like a pebble thrown in still water -
the concentric circles expanding ever wider
as these acts get passed on, one to another. 


I know that I can't change the world
unless I start with myself.  

For my New Year's Resolution, 
I want to practice more
of those virtues that ripple outward
in a positive way.


As I walk my path,
I want to practice more kindness, patience,
understanding, and compassion.

I know that I can't control the actions of others, 
but I can control my response.

Response-ability. 

This is not always easy -
Especially in traffic!  :)


I know that a slow and steady pursuit
of these virtues, will always bear
sweet fruit. 

This does not mean that I should accept
being treated unkindly. 
There is such a thing as discernment. 
Sometimes we have to let people go
that don't have our best interest at heart......

Wishing them well. 
But still being kind.

This is another thing I need to work on
in the coming year. 

Learning to let go and forgive.


I can really beat myself up over the past sometimes :) 

But as I've grown older, I realize that all that 
negative self-talk isn't doing any good. 

Nor does it change a thing.

So I will try to search for the lessons.
The silver lining in the dark cloud.

xo

I want to live more in the moment this year. 
I've learned a lot about this from my pets. 


Every day is a new adventure! 

Joy is a new treat, or their favorite 
human coming home, or a walk in the woods. 

They don't worry about the past, or 
whether their hair looks good, or
if they've gained a few pounds
or have a few new wrinkles. 

They just bound through life 
with a smile on their face and tails wagging. 


Of course, they don't have to worry about 
paying the bills, but they have such
an accepting and grateful way of 
appreciating the smallest kindness,
which I really admire. 

And they don't judge each other by size, shape, 
color, breed, religion, profession, or other silly comparisons. 

Well, maybe they judge each other by smell. Lol! 


So this year, I want to love and play more,
learn from the past, appreciate every day, and forgive and let go,
but always remember, and hold in my heart,
those wonderful good times. 

Just like the song.....

Auld Lang Syne - (Old Long Ago)

Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot
And days of Auld Lang Syne?

For Auld Lang Syne, my dear.
For Auld Lang Syne.
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
for days of Auld Lang Syne.

xoxo

Wishing you the very best in
the coming New Year,
my Friends!

Thank you for being the wonderful,
talented, creative, kind and beautiful
people you are.

xoxo


If you've noticed, 
some of you might find it hard to 
follow Blogger blogs lately. 

Here are some answers:
                                                  An update on Google Friend Connect

37 comments:

  1. HAPPY NEW YEAR and I hope it is all you want, and a peaceful world would be good for everyone.
    Merle......................

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  2. That's a very meaningful post and one we all can relate to. So much happiness yet sadness, so much gain yet loss, Life goes on.

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  3. Beautiful thoughts, beautiful photos. It is always a delight to visit your little corner of the world. May your year be a playful one filled with love and new adventures.

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  4. Sending best wishes and looking forward to reading your enlightening posts during 2016. x

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  5. You've given me some wonderful guidelines. The present state of affairs in this country suggest things are moving toward some sort of climax, though we don't know what. You know the old saying; we don't know what the future holds but we know Who holds the future. It is an exciting time to live in, but I pray for my children and grandchildren because it is a different world than the one I thought they'd have. Our parents probably said the same thing! :D I enjoy following you and look forward to hearing from you in 2016. Happyiest of New Years to you and your family!

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  6. You've given me some wonderful guidelines. The present state of affairs in this country suggest things are moving toward some sort of climax, though we don't know what. You know the old saying; we don't know what the future holds but we know Who holds the future. It is an exciting time to live in, but I pray for my children and grandchildren because it is a different world than the one I thought they'd have. Our parents probably said the same thing! :D I enjoy following you and look forward to hearing from you in 2016. Happyiest of New Years to you and your family!

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  7. Hola amiga querida ,, espero que este 2016 que recién comienza llegue cargado de bendiciones para ti y tu familia ,, y que podamos seguir manteniendo esta amistad virtual
    Cariños

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  8. I am always inspired by your posts. Your photos are beautiful and you have so many positive and uplifting posts. We are both optimists...must be one reason I feel so at home here. Happy new year! Hugs, Diane

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  9. Dear Karen,

    Such beautiful words and photos you have shared today, thank you.
    It is always great to come and visit you and your uplifting posts, also great to see your sweet dogs.
    Happy New Year and best wishes for good health, happiness and prosperity.
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  10. Beautiful thoughts <3 Happy New Year Karen!

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  11. Happy New Year to you and yours!!!
    All my best
    Elisabeth

    The pink sky is fantastic!

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  12. Hello, wonderful words and post. Your sky images are just stunning. I wish you all the best in 2016! A very Happy, healthy New Year to you and your family!

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  13. What an encouraging post for all of us to try and accomplish in the coming year!!

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  14. His grandson is a handsome boy. Here in Brazil has been a very difficult year. With many changes. I wish you an excellent year . A kiss, her friend Silvia.

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  15. His grandson is a handsome boy. Here in Brazil has been a very difficult year. With many changes. I wish you an excellent year . A kiss, her friend Silvia.

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  16. Happy new year my friend. I am missing the blog but always present with you. Many achievements, health and success. A big hug and kisses!!!

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  17. Beautiful post, and I sure do agree with it all and am going to strive to be more like that this year myself. Good to have met you this year, wishing you a happy and healthy year ahead!!

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  18. Your sweet and kind heart is reflected in every word you have written. This is a post that needs to be revisited often as it contains such words of wisdom. I pray your new year will be filled with blessings beyond your wildest imagination. I have so enjoyed getting to know you.....Hugs

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  19. Dear Karen ~ What a beautiful post, in thoughts and pictures.

    May 2016 be a wonderful year for you and your family ~ FlowerLady

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  20. Wonderful! My most fervent prayer this new year is for our planet. We are all caretakers and we must listen tow hat our environment is saying to us. The climate changes are a shout. If we do not work each in our way and give voice to what is needed, our children and grandchildren will be left with the damage.

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  21. Happy New Year dear Karen. You have written such a lovely tribute to 2015. I wish you joy and blessings in this New Year. Hugs. Pat

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  22. Karen, I just want you to know that your New Year post is very special in so many ways. I love how you used your pictures with your own eloquent words. And when you mentioned your dogs and how they love just the simple things, that's so true, isn't it?

    I loved your pictures of the red berries and the pink and purple sky and the blue jay and the cute squirrel. And I really appreciate your blog with so many pictures of nature. I must get back to nature soon, as it brings me such peace.

    Happy New Year to you, my blog sister. Continue to be the optimist that you are. It is much needed in our world today. :)

    love, ~Sheri

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  23. Karen, I love your post. My word for the year is spirit. I hope to cultivate a spirit of tenderness, gratitude, and more. I love what you wrote about your dogs too. The world would be a better place if we learned those lessons from our sweet pets.

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  24. Karen, I'm wishing you a beautiful New Year! Thank you for sharing with us a glimpse of your heart's desires for the coming year ... lovely thoughts. Looking forward to sharing the journey with you in 2016.

    Brenda xox

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  25. A very special post Karen, something we can all take on board. It is those little acts of kindness that are so important. Wishing you a very happy new year. Barbara x

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  26. What a lovely post you wrote Karen. I hope you had a nice Christmas. Wishing you a Happy New Year! Thanks for the pretty photos too.
    Julie

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  27. Karen, it's as if you wrote this post specifically for *me*! Thank you so much for sharing your encouraging thoughts as we move ahead.

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  28. Karen, what beautiful words.
    "Learning to let go and forgive" is one of my resolution; I really hope to succeed in.
    Thanks for all the post you wrote this year, I love them.
    I'm happy to have met you...

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  29. This is such a beautiful post, Karen. Letting go and forgiving are so freeing. Often when we beat ourselves over something, it is because we have regrets. And if we regret something...we've learned from it and would never repeat it...so it's time to let it go.
    I am sure you will touch many with your eloquent post, Karen. Wishing you a wonderful and blessed 2016!

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  30. Such words of encouragement written in a beautiful way. Always a pleasure to hear what you're thinking Karen. I love it when you share your wisdom. Your photos are stunning, and the little pups can teach us some simple lessons in life! I've found it easier and easier to let go and not to hang onto negative thoughts, but it has been a long lesson to learn. All the best to you, your family and your furry friends in 2016!
    Wendy

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  31. Dearest Karen,
    Yes, 2015 sure was a bitter sweet year... losing loved ones is never easy!
    Wise words you wrote and yes, we still have to learn more from our pets.
    Trying to catch up after being sick for quite some days. Feeling a lot better and guess I was way behind with rest. Due to Dad's illness and other family emotions. Things started looking better towards the end of the year and today we called Dad on his 95th Birthday. A blessing!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  32. What a beautifully written post, my friend, with so much to think about. What I want this year, is Mercy and Peace. Happy New Year to you and God bless you.

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  33. Happy New Year dear sweet friend... Enjoyed your thoughts!! I am surely ready for a better year. But as always going through hardships one can learn a whole lot about oneself..
    Looking forward to many more of your post! Hugs

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  34. Beautiful words Karen. A Happy, Healthy and Sparkling New Year to your and your family. I hope 2016 will be kind for you!

    Peace and love,

    Madelief x

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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