Well, it’s that time of year again … when we make promises to ourselves that we will never keep (well, I know I won’t!) and when we look back and reflect on the year that has past and have a wee smile about the fun and good times we had. Of course, it hasn’t all been fun times,there are times that we may wish had never happened or we have guilt or regrets about but they are all experiences that in some way shape our future lives.
For me, 2011 has been a year when I have met some great people, formed some lovely friendships and had some great experiences that I will always look back on with a wee smile in my heart. I am actually sorry to see the end of 2011, it’s been great fun!
I do know that the change in year does not bring a change in fortune for me or for anyone else, change, for all of us, comes from within.. we cannot just sit back and expect a date change to bring us happiness or peace, it is something we have to do for ourselves.
I have posted this quote by Charles Swindoll before on a previous blog, but as we go into 2012 it is perhaps more appropriate than ever.
“Attitude
The longer I live, the more I realise the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company… a church … a home.
The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past … we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one thing we have, and that is our attitude….
I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you….We are in charge of our attitude.”
So, as the bells chime out tonight, look back, remember and smile .. then focus on the future. We cannot change what has gone, we can change what is to come.
Happy New Year to you all, may you find peace and happiness in 2012, because, in the end that is all that matters.