“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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