Getting Ready for the Year Ahead

Wow, here we are in 2023 already! I hope you all survived the ‘silly season ’ with your sense of humour intact and that you shared lots of laughter, hugs and happiness with your nearest and dearest.

It is well known within my family that I refuse to discuss plans for Christmas until 1st December drives my kids crazy, but it works for me!! I also refuse to have a plastic tree at my place and nearly always manage to kill off the live one from the previous year before it can be reused, so we ’ ve had some innovative variations on tree shaped décor over the years, including a memorable one made from a stack of books

This year it was a collection of beautiful bare branches the wind blew out of a big tree in our garden… dusted off and “artfully” arranged in a vase full of sand and decorated accordingly The Christmas tree at Grandma’s is always a point of discussion among the grandkids and Christmas and New Year preparations at our place are intense, a little chaotic, but always filled with lots of fun!

And now as we begin the New Year, hopefully there will be time to assess what is ahead of us and begin making plans, setting goals and marking those calendars with all the important family events and special dates to remember.

I have a favourite little poem which always reminds me and helps me focus on what I want from life and what goals I’d like to set for myself. It’s called Living the Good Life by William Ellery Channing. I’ll share a little quote from it here, due to copyright you’ll have to do your own googling if you want to read it in full

“To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy not respectable…..”

As you begin your plans for 2023, remember what are the important things in your world and take time to enjoy the little things. If you ’ re planning to celebrate a special occasion, I’d love to chat with you about your ideas anytime,

Happy New Year Leanne

Leanne SmithCivil Celebrant