New Beginnings

Why do most of us feel a sense of renewal at the beginning of each new year?

The date itself is a completely arbitrary point in the flow of current events. Because the year is about to change, wars are not likely to stop, or natural disasters, or family feuds. And yet we do feel some change will happen—especially if the current year has been difficult. We cannot wait for it to be over, to be rid of it. A new start.

That is a good thing—the stirrings of hope. Without it, life would be too depressing. And good things do happen.

So let us be thankful of what we have, and count our blessings, and spare a thought for those who are worse off than us, for there are many. (And perhaps stop watching the news, for a day or two!)

Happy New Year!

“Hope is the thing with feathers;

that perches in the soul;

And sings the song without the words;

And never stops – at all.”

Emily Dickinson

27 thoughts on “New Beginnings”

  1. A lovely, thoughtful post to start off a new year.
    Some art to admire and a poem to read.
    I have become a bit cynical about all the fuss around welcoming in a new year but maybe if I can think about it as a demonstration of hope for a better future I’ll open a bottle of something fizzy after all tonight.
    Cheers!

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  2. I don’t think it’s entirely arbitrary. The time after Winter Solstice as the days finally begin to lengthen, when Spring is on the way with the promise of renewal and new growth, I think is an entirely logical time to declare the year being a new one.

    And let’s hope it’s a good one for everyone.

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    1. But it’s not, actually the winter solstice. January 1 is nearly 3 weeks after. I’ve never understood why it’s that date and not the actual solstice. That I could understand, but the mornings and evenings have been becoming lighter for quite a while now.

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      1. Well, the new year is 10 days after the Solstice, so by that time there is a measurable difference in the length of the days, and over the centuries the dates have changed a little – hence the difference between the Gregorian and Julian calendars. Hundreds of years ago it’s possible the new year began shortly after the Solstice. Perhaps that’s also the reason for Christmas Day / Yule being on the 25th; a couple of days after the Solstice and probably long enough to see that the length of the days have changed. It could even be that Yule and the new year once coincided.

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  4. I tend to mark the year on my birthday in March. January is usually so depressing in England, I like to wait for three months before thinking about another year ahead.
    My very best wishes to you, dear Marina.
    Pete. x

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  9. Thank you for your blog and poetry. I would think you know the following poem…

    TO LIVE IS A MIRACLE ENOUGH

    To live at all is miracle enough.
    The doom of nations is another thing.
    Here in my hammering blood-pulse is my proof.
    Let every painter paint and poet sing
    And all the sons of music ply their trade;
    Machines are weaker than a beetle’s wing.
    Swung out of sunlight into cosmic shade,
    Come what come may the imagination’s heart
    Is constellation high and can’t be weighed.
    Nor greed nor fear can tear our faith apart
    When every heart-beat hammers out the proof
    That life itself is miracle enough.

    Mervyn Peake

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  10. Happy New Year to you, Marina. Thank you for all the beautiful art you’ve shared with us over the past 12 months; it’s always a joy to see one of your post popping up in my blog reader! Wishing you all the best for a very happy and healthy 2023. X

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