Food for Thought For the New Year
A Moment of Connection
Winter solstice 2019 in Northern Hemisphere was at 8:19 p.m. Saturday, December 21st. The winter solstice is the known as the shortest day of the year because it has the fewest hours of daylight. Winter Solstice happens for everyone at the same instant, everywhere on earth.
A Symbol of Hope
The day after the winter solstice marks the beginning of days that become a little longer, leading up to the summer solstice in June. For us, days becoming a little longer is symbolic of hope.

As the days become a little longer we see this as a symbol of hope.

When a road comes to an end, it can be the beginning of a whole new adventure.
Endings are the Start of Beginnings
Christmas is over for another year. All the hustle bustle is finished for 2019. People are looking forward to the New Year. Depending on our situations this can be a positive time full of hope or a challenging time where people feel resigned to unfulfilling jobs, lifeless relationships and unresolved feelings.
We All Need Hope
Whatever situation people are in, we all need hope. Without hope tackling new situations becomes overwhelming. Staying in the same place wishing for something new lands people exactly where they are now…..year after year. This leads to a lifetime of regret.

With hope there is always light at the end of the tunnel

Give yourself time to reflect on 2019 and time to imagine what the future could be
Give Yourself the Gift of Time
Now that the craziness of Christmas is over, take some time for yourself. Give yourself the gift of time away from electronic devices. Put your phone on silent, and let yourself be still with your thoughts.
Here is a composition from 1927 that has incredible wisdom that has withstood the test of time.
Food for thought as 2019 ends and 2020 begins:
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, 1927
Looking forward to connecting with everyone again in the New Year!
Adrienne and Bob