A NEW YEAR

Gail Oliver Cambridge | January 1, 2021

Welcome 2021!

Now that 2020 is behind us, we can turn our attention to the promise of a new beginning. So, take a deep breath and be still for a few moments as you usher in 2021 with renewed hope of better things to come.

Last year, we experienced some dark days but there were glimmers of light because people were able to make lemonade out of lemons. You should be encouraged by this as you look forward to positive changes in the new year. This does not necessarily mean you have to make resolutions, but do engage in self-care, self-compassion, and whatever makes your heart sings. I pray that you find inspiration in the quotes below or, at the very least, they bring a smile to your lips:

“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you,

not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”

~ Jeremiah 29:11 (MSG)

“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with

a mosquito.” ~ The Dalai Lama

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life

to celebrate.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

“If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are

living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.”

~ Lao Tzu

“I tried to drown my sorrows, but the bastards learned how to swim,

and now I am overwhelmed by this decent and good feeling.” ~ Frida Kahl

“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

~ Mark Twain

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Success isn't about how much money you make. It's about the difference

you make in people's lives." ~ Michelle Obama

“A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy

enough people to make it worth the effort.” ~ Herm Albright

"So often in life, things that you regard as an impediment turn out to be

great, good fortune." ~ Ruth Bader Ginsburg

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another:

‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’” ~ C.S. Lewis

“Bravery is the ability to look fear and hurt in the face and say ‘move aside,

you are in the way.’” ~ Melissa Tumino

“You know what music is? God's little reminder that there's something else

besides us in this universe; harmonic connection between all living beings,

everywhere, even the stars.” ~ Robin Williams

“Forgiveness is more about cutting the chains of negativity from whatever

has caused us pain.” ~ Tina Turner

“You know you’re getting old when you stoop to tie your shoelaces and

wonder what else you could do while you’re down there.” ~ George Burns

“People are their most beautiful when they are laughing, crying, dancing,

playing, telling the truth, and being chased in a fun way.” ~ Amy Poehler

“Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.”

~ Samuel Ullman

“Exercising would be so much more rewarding if calories screamed

while you burned them.” ~ Anonymous

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering

‘it will be happier.’” ~ Alfred Lord Tennyson

“But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their

wings and soar like eagles. They run and don’t get tired; they walk

and don’t lag behind.” ~ Isaiah 40:31 (MSG)

Now, let’s have a drum roll for the greatest blessing of all…you've made it to this point and are now celebrating the beginning of a new year!