“The chief beauty about time is that you cannot waste it in advance. The next year, the next day, the next hour are lying ready for you, as perfect, as unspoiled, as if you had never wasted or misapplied a single moment in all your life. You can turn over a new leaf every hour if you choose.” Arnold Bennett
The first morning of 2018 came with the gentle cloak of fog that obscured the path ahead. I was reminded that the present offers clarity that fades away if we look too far into the future or back towards the past. Instead, I will turn to books for this form of enlightenment.
This year, I will be exploring the past through the eyes of writers who lived in different times and witnessed a past that I will never fully understand. And then, there is the recent past: looking back on the books that encouraged and inspired me.
As for the future, I’m taking Arnold Bennett’s cue – there are many new leaves to turn over in 2018.
I look forward to a New Year of profound and joyful conversations.
Very much looking forward to hearing more about the reading treasures you uncover and explore. The game’s afoot! 🙂
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I’m looking forward to reading about your thoughts on books and more conversations 🙂 May 2018 bring you and family much joy xo
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This is going to be a very exciting year, Christy. I am looking forward to the many conversations that are waiting for us. Tonight I will be toasting the professor at 9p.m. J.R.R. Tolkien!
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I’m looking forward to another year of discussions!
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Me too!! As Abraham Lincoln said many years ago, “All I have learned, I learned from books.” By the way, I’m thinking of adding a page called “The Listening Room” where I read excerpts from books that have inspired me….” Will see if I can figure it all out. Stay tuned.
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I think this sounds like a terrific idea! Looking forward to your posts this year.
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I am so glad that we connected in 2017. Looking forward to our ongoing dialogue in 2018!
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Me too. 🙂
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I love the idea of a “Listening Room”!
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I’m looking forward to to reading about your reading experiences in the coming year, Rebecca! 😊📚
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So many books, so little time – and that is a great comfort to me. I am looking forward to spending time at your “place” in the coming year. When I read your posts, I feel like I’m having a discussion with you over coffee.
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Well said. Perhaps we’ll discuss literature some day over a real coffee ☕️
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Clanmother, I am looking forward to spending this year with you. I am profoundly grateful for our conversations and the things we learn from each other.
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I share your excitement and gratitude for our life-affirming conversation. We live in a complex, perilously divided world that demands our best participation. I love visiting your “place” of meditation and reflection, music and literature, painting and flowers. Many hugs coming your way.
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Here’s to our best participation!
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I enjoy your excellent writing, the above offering is an example. I like the quote from Mr. Bennett–I was pleased to find that he referred to leaves in a book. That is something that I thought of at the beginning of this new year. I will be awaiting the offerings that you will chose to use from your fellow authors.
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Arnold Bennett was an extraordinary writer who was born in 1867 and died in 1931. He had a stutterer which, according to Somerset Maugham, allowed in to be introspective. He excelled in other areas as well: the theatre, journalism, propaganda and films. I am looking forward to reading his writings in the coming year.
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I love how you frame your new year in terms of books. Can’t think of a better way to do it. Happy 2018 to you!
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I am entering 2018 with a grateful heart. Last night I kept walking around my home and saying “thank you, thank you, thank you!” Grateful for a place to rest, to drink tea, to think and to read a book. So glad that we are connected. All the very best of the new year to you and your wonderful family.
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Thank you. 🙂
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