Get ready for another new year....

“The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written.” Melanie Beattie

Today is the last day of 2018 and tomorrowstarts the 11^thyear of these daily musings: more than 2500 Arte of Motivation ARTicles are already in my files. Every day is a new thought on how to be better tomorrow: like chapters in a book, they are waiting to be written. The quotes are highlighted on social media some get these in their email each day because that’s what they requested; you'll always be able to find them here: I thank you for accompanying me on this journey and hope you continue to enjoy reading these as much as I enjoy writing them. Have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve.  See you next year.

Melody Beattie (b. 1948): American author of self-help books on codependent relationships

Do all you can, and should, do....

Last year we bought a cuckoo clock: I love regularly pulling the chains to get the tic-toc of the clock and the cuckoo’s call.  Then, on a whim, I bought another, and then 3 old regulator clocks (the kind you have to wind with a special key) and 2 more electric clocks with pendulums: all of a sudden there were lots of time-related sounds in the house. The noises from all these clocks naturally began to seep into the background of our lives, but now that I’m hanging around the house (working on my recovery) I’ve started to again hear them. Maybe it’s not just the clocks … maybe it’s also the passage of time and the fact we’re counting down the dates until they start again: that’s motivating me to want to do something.  I’ve naturally slowed down this first week after surgery, but I haven’t stopped doing all I can with what I have. As you get ready to rev up your resolutions for the new year, think about organizing your thoughts and actions in the pursuit of what you want.  That’s what you can do today.

Confucius (551–479 BC): Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher

Don't, stop, thinking about tomorrow....

Another year is ending: people everywhere are rejoicing in the spirit of this season, thinking about all they’ve done in the past twelve months and what they’ll do in the next twelve. For me, this year’s ritual is interesting: after knee surgery last week, I now have the forced pause of recovery to do little else but engage in this year-end process of rejoicing and reflection. As I look back, I can’t really complain about my aching knees when in fact they were probably caused by last summer’s decision to build stone walls with my own two hands. On another level, I can rejoice in the friendships I’ve continued to nurture this year and the thrill of the music and harmonies those relationships will continue to produce.  And the times spent with my granddaughters this year will continue to create more opportunities for fun times and Instagram photos next year. There are lots of these cause-and-effect type decisions that we each must consider in this last week of the year. Take time to continue to rejoice in the holiday spirit and make time for these natural reflections and projections today.

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill (1874 – 1965): British politician, statesman, army officer, and writer

Keep the holiday spirit alive....

I hope everyone had a wonderful and meaningful holiday celebration with family and friends. This is a time when people gather together to be part of traditions that are bigger than themselves, celebrate life and all that we cherish, and remember that it is better to give than to receive. We anticipate these holidays for a long time – planning and buying and preparing; then they come and are suddenly over.  This year let’s try not to let the spirit and feeling stop when the holiday passes. That’s the best present we can give to those we love today.

Andy Rooney (1919 –2011): American radio and television writer best known for his weekly broadcast on the CBS News program 60 Minutes

Tis the Season....

“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”Calvin Coolidge

John Calvin Coolidge Jr. (1872 – 1933): American politician and the 30th President of the United States 

MerryChristmas!

And to all the world, a good night....

Know where you're going....

Today is the winter solstice – the beginning of winter, the shortest day and longest night of the year; and there’s a full moon tonight. The seasons come and go, life goes on, and through it all we continue on with our lives. This is the time of year – from now until the end – when it’s good to think about where we’re going and how to get there, and to make plans so as not to miss the goals we set and the opportunities that abound. Other times we’re seemingly busy doing other things, but during these next few days let’s remember to slow down and enjoy family and friends.  Hanukah just ended, Christmas and Kwanzaa are a few days away, and the New Year is just around the corner: be thankful, be happy, and be well today. 

Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra (1925 – 2015): American professional baseball catcher, manager and coach