Thursday 31 December 2015

Hope is smiling

Isn't it odd how the change of that one special digit at the end of the date makes us reflect?  I enjoy the reflection.  It's been a good year.  I've enjoyed it.  There have been ups and downs, darkness and light, but my overwhelming emotion has been contentment.  Maybe that's the upside of the gift of years.

I haven't managed to lose as much weight in 2015 as I did in 2014 (ten pounds as opposed to fourteen) but I weigh twenty four pounds less than I did on 31st December 2013 and I feel quietly proud of that.  My pattern of Sabbaths continues and I have maintained both my blogs.  These three habits I established in 2014 are now part of my lifestyle.

I decided to end the year with less messy places than I started with and I have achieved that modest aim.  I still haven't got a tidy house, most people would be horrified by the state of my bungalow but it's my bungalow and I live in it with great joy.  I shall carry on with this programme of gradual simplification and doubtless it will only be complete when I am myself packed into a box.

I am blessed with kind people all around me, my nephew and his wife who have invited me to go to Belgium to visit in 2016, my lovely cousins who help me as do my friends and neighbours, and Jack who comes and sorts me out every so often (see my other blog to read about Jack).

I searched for a quote for New Year and found this one from my fellow yellow belly, Alfred, Lord Tennyson "Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, 'It will be happier'"

The problem is I can't imagine how I could be any happier.

May you have a happy and blessed 2016.

13 comments:

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    1. And a happy new year to you. I woke this morning with a huge smile as I remembered that I have yet another lovey present from you to open!

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  2. Not even being able to imagine a happier life because you are so content has to be the most wonderful thing I can dream of. I hope to attain that status, and not because my bank account or house got bigger or waistline smaller, but just because!

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    1. I am very fortunate but for much of my life I have known the paralysis of clinical depression. It is truly only in the last three or four years that I have known this wonderful joy, delight and contentment.

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  3. Happy New Year. As I look forward to retirement in 4 years, may I say how inspiring I find your blog(S). All the best for 2016

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    1. Ah, yes, Margaret, as the poet has it - the best is yet to be.

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  4. You did a good job losing so many pounds of weight.
    Happy New Year 2016.

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  5. Happy New Year, Mary! You do seem truly happy and that is a blessing.

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  6. Happy new year. Well done on the weight loss thats fantastic. I'm not making any huge promises for 2016 just to keep everything on track that is already in place. New year brings the essence of a new page to write on and new beginnings.

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  7. Just found your blog through another one I read. Happy New Year to you. I love Christmas and the promise of new life it brings.
    I have been reading a few of your poste leading up to Christmas and smiled at the memories of paper chains and toilet roll holder snowmen. The excitement when the Copydex and paper strips appeared in our home still makes me smile.
    Our Christmas tree displays homemade offering from our boys which go back 40 years. A rather battered snow man is amongst these!
    Looking forward to following both your blogs in 2016. Sue.

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    1. Welcome to my blog! Lovely to see you. I actually have two, the other is at http://trundlingthroughlife.blogspot.co.uk/

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  8. Happy New Year! I love this review. It sounds like 2015 was about as perfect as it gets. As for the weight! Excellent job!!! I however have certainly ended the year with a bit extra... I believe you're on track for another wonderful year. 2016 will be a year filled with blessing and joy.

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