Saturday, January 1, 2011

WELCOME TO 2011


Finally, we have arrived at the New Year. I love the fresh feeling and hope that the dawn of a new year brings and this year we also mark a new decade. It is a time for looking forward. It is time to stop wasting time with regrets or worrying about the year that has finally ended.

2010 was a challenging and difficult year for Ireland and her people. I, no doubt am not alone is being very glad to see the back of it. Last night, for the first time in many years, we just sat by the fire as a family and allowed the old year to slip into history. (Before you wonder if I have lost it altogether – me and him did have a glass or four of wine!) Today we are looking forward to all the possibilities this brand new year may bring to us.

So what about this new decade? I am hoping that we will make 2011, the year that hope is reborn in Ireland. We lost so much confidence in 2010. We were bombarded by a media obsessed with our economic difficulties. In 2011 I believe, that each of us need to make a conscious decision each day to hold on to hope. We need to focus on the future and on recovery. But most of all we need to hold onto the belief that we can make it happen…. And we will.

Personally, along with hope, I am going to attempt to live fearlessly this year. Many of us are finding that fear is making it difficult to see a way ahead. Fear is a very limiting and damaging emotion and is only useful if you are facing directly and immediately into danger. Fear should be fleeting – not long term.

So I say drop the fear, hang onto hope and march confidently on into the new decade! Fake it till we make it, if you like. Although the last verse of Bette Midler's The Rose also captures the sentiment perfectly:


When the night has been too lonely
and the road has been to long,
and you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong,
just remember in the winter
far beneath the bitter snows
lies the seed that with the sun's love
in the spring becomes the rose.

May we all witness the blooming of prosperity, justice and peace for all in 2011



Barbara

13 comments:

  1. I share many of your sentiments,Barbara - I too was glad to see the arse end of 'er - as they say hereabouts. I too am full of hope for the next year, personally and for all the troubles the world seems to be in. So, I raise a glass (of water - it is still way too early here) to you and yours.

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  2. Lovely post, we so need to find some hope this year.
    Wishing you and yours health and happiness for 2011.
    (Glad you had a glass of vino or four)

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  3. My favourite song, The Rose. Enjoyed last night no end, another rockin' Hootenanny with Jools Holland. Delighted to see end of 2010, much as I was to see end of 2009. This year is already off to such a better start and it's only the end of day one!

    Astronomically speaking, there's hope in the heavens, very favourable planetary alignment. Inexplicably I have a cheer in my heart & a lightness to my footsteps.

    Thank you Barbara, every best wish to you & family right back, Annette

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  4. Best wishes for 2011!

    from Clive and all the gang!!

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  5. Your post spoke to me! Thank you! Marilyn xx

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  6. Happy New Year Barbara ...
    After your inspiring post I now have a soul full of hope!!! :)

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  7. Happy new year Barbara, may it be a wonderful one for you and yours. x

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  8. It's been a tough year for a lot of us in many different ways. I share your wish to look forward to the new year with all its new possibilities. Happy new year.

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  9. Your piece is like a continuation of our Twitter conversation the other night. You certainly write from the heart which is so rare these days of plastic. Well done and keep up the good work.

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  10. Lovely photo, lovely message. If 2010 was the year you cracked some small eggs - short stories, journalism, radio - I reckon 2011 is the year you will crack a big egg! I am so confident I will bet a Euro...Onwards and upwards. Shalom! P.

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  11. Lovely post Barbara. Happy New Year to you and himself and the girls. Yes 2010 was awful. We really need a large dose of satire to help lighten the load - bring back Halls pictorial weekly and Scrap Saturday to put the 'goings on' in perspective. Onwards and upwards for 2011!

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  12. Great post, Barbara. Like you, I love the promise of the New Year. I am really looking forward to seeing 2011 unfold. 2010 taught me many lessons that I am now itching to put into practice. :)

    Hazel

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  13. Happy New Year to you and your family Barbara. May 2011 be the year of great achievement for you and your dreams. I have always had a soft spot for that song. Great Post...Hope and stamina will win out in the end.

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