Every year has its ups and downs. I do not believe in one year ending and rushing to its funeral, I do not believe in welcoming a new year and everything will be different. For years I have been caught up with the year end frenzy of getting things done before midnight on January 31, trying to reach as many people before the bell tolled. I have spent so many New Year Eves’ parties feeling completely out of the picture, expectations as high as the ensuing disappointment.
You want to know what I am doing on New Year’s Eve: nothing, no parties, no balloons, no champagne, no checking the watch every 5 seconds. No date who might have his expectations high and waiting for the final 12th bell tone in order to rush in and claim whatever he feels his due.
Life is an endless flow of moments to be cherished, well, I admit some of them are not so worthy or rather difficult to be cherished but that is another story. I like to listen to Bedrich Smetana’s The Moldau, for me it represents a life symbol, at first it is but a small creek softly meandering down the valley and gaining in momentum, growing in depth and speed to finally reach its majestic size and power.
I do not believe in new year’s resolutions either, if you want to change something you can do it anytime. A new year’s resolution puts too much pressure on you, especially if you tell your family and friends of it. And very likely you will be asked about your new year’s resolutions at one of the many parties in December or on one or the other social media platforms, do not fall into that trap. I can give you some figures: 55 – 60 % will not make any new year’s resolutions, the other 40 – 45 % who do so will not fare so well. Have a look here.
However, I like to have a look back upon my year and I invite you to join me now.
A picture says more than a thousand words
Hence my 2014 in pictures:
Roco
Roco joins our family on January 6th and instantly claims his position: KING.
Vogel Gryff
Vienna in February
Fasnacht in March
strawberries – an early temptation in April
tulips – shadow play
WP Camp in Zurich in May
roses in May
I am not the only one who loves roses
and always cooking: yoghurt
celebrating my mum’s 90th birthday in June
a touch of red in Asti, Piedmont, Italy: tomatoes on the farmer market
Are we ever ready to say good bye to our mothers?
we will meet again
A lovely evening in September: Muenster in Basel
Back in Monforte d’Alba in Piedmont, Italy
Fun fair in Basel in November
Golden autumn in November
The snow has arrived after Christmas
Happy Holidays
Is it not amazing how many treasures there are to be found in each year?
Happy New Year to you all and may we all be fully aware of the beautiful moments
– a spectacular sunrise exploding in all shades of pink or orange, a rainbow at exactly the moment we need it –
and be conscious of the people surrounding us
– smiling at them, listening to them and maybe even daring to tell them that you love them!
Comments 14
This is beautiful Barbara! I wish I were so inclined with the camera to have captured 2014 so well. Perhaps this year I will put my new iPod to work 🙂
Yes, why think of years end, though I’ve never been successful in NOT being HYPER aware of it, and also of being wary of the upcoming year. Who knows what a new year will bring. Perhaps it is as you say, “Every year has its ups and downs.”
All the best to you in 2015!
Lori
Lori Ah, Lori, thank you so much, I was thinking of you when I wrote this post and remembered your post on expectation and anticipation. We might have been patterned as children to have high expectations regarding Christmas and New Year but we also have a choice whether we want to continue on this path or not.
Baby steps: years ago I decided I did not want to be part of the party crowd and instead chose to stay at home, doing what I have done today: reviewing the year in pictures and choosing the prettiest, thus lightening the sometimes sad moments but not obliterating them. It does wonders for your mood!
Do have a go at it with your iPod!
Have a wonderful 2015 filled with beautiful moments, Lori!
Love the pictures, there is no better way to illustrate life than through pictures and maybe some good music.
Happy New Year Barbara. Hope 2015 exceeds all expectations.
Happy New Year, Josh, and a fabulously happy birthday for you! Joshua Wilner/A Writer Writes True, pictures and music – this year there will be more music for all of us.
May 2015 be a harvest year for all the seeds planted in earlier years!
what a beautiful collection of memories!
tandysinclair Thank you so much, Tandy, where words would have brought sadness the pictures somewhat take the pain away!
Lori Great stuff Barbara. We will never get over losing our Moms/Mums. Health to ya & Lori & Josh & all your pals. Regards, Rich
Lori Figures. I put a message BEFORE signing up : ( OK…Barbara, great pics. We will never get over losing our Mom/Mum. Health..best of to you, Lori, Josh & your buds n family. Regards, Me
Rich Looby Lori Hi, Rich, welcome to Late Bloomers and thanks for subscribing – appreciate it very much. Have a wonderful 2015!
Love the pics. Awesome way to review the past year. Happy 2015.
Beautiful pictures Happy New Year
A very Happy New Year to you, Fred, and thanks for stopping by! FredMcMurray
Thank you, Carly, and a most wonderful year to you, blessings! CarlyAlyssaThorne
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