Dear readers, I can’t believe but I am writing this post after almost 6 months! Yes, it has been a long time, but my blog is always on my mind. It has just been busy with work, and life, sigh… In the summer, June to be precise, we had traveled from Houston to Pittsburgh for Taylor Swift concert and it was amazing. You can read more about it here, which was the last post I had written and here I am back for another one before the year ends. Summer was busy. After the Pittsburgh visit, in July my sister and family visited us from Canada for a week. Immediately following that, we left for our India trip. It was a short but refreshing trip of 17 days where we visited Faridabad, Haryana and Leh, Ladakh. Today’s post includes my reflections and learnings from 2023 and welcoming 2024, so read on!
Background
Let me reminisce for myself what all happened in 2023 for me. Our new year was spent at Calgary, Canada where we had gone for the December holidays. You can read about our winter vacation to Canada here. We visited Waterton National Park & Banff National Park as well as Lake Louise, Edmonton and Drumheller. The highlight of the trip was seeing the Northern Lights and of course spending quality time with family. Then in March, my post was about the Houston Rodeo, which is a big event for any Houstonian or even Texan for that matter. More information about the Houston Rodeo can be found here. The next post was in April end about raising grateful kids in which I gave 5 simple tips to practice gratitude for kids. In June was the 3rd travel post of the year. The next travel was to India where we spent couple of weeks with family and it was refreshing and wonderful!
Holiday season
Since it is this time of the year where we are ending a year and starting a new year, I would like to emphasize (for myself & others) about what holiday season really means. Holidays are the time for hope, and the perfect time to give back to community, pay it forward, and spread cheer by volunteering, donating or helping others.
Giving back to community can be in simple small ways by using your time, resources or efforts to make small difference around you. As an individual, you may be fortunate enough to do things around you but as a community member when many people come together to help or assist for any giving event this time of the year, makes a huge impact on families and entire community. You can volunteer, donate, visit, run or organize. Volunteer at a local church, old age home, orphanage or animal shelter; whatever is closest to your heart. Donate to a local organization or a global one, it really doesn’t matter as your hard earned money can make a difference either way. Visit a children’s hospital, library or community center and ask them ways that you can assist. You can run or plan events like recycling, trash pick ups, food drives, clothes, toys or books donation. You can organize, lead or just be part of any of these events happening at this time of the year anywhere in your city, county, or state. There are endless ways to give back especially at this time of the year, just go for it!
Welcoming 2024 New year: time of hope
New year is the time of hope, anticipation, planning and setting goals. I do not make new year resolutions, but I know many do. Whatever you heart desires, do that to welcome the new year. My favorite are to reflect and give thanks. You can celebrate small victories, and look forward to new beginnings and change.
Here are a few of New Year quotes that I found motivational-
Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.
Oprah Winfrey
Celebrate endings—for they precede new beginnings.
Jonathan Huie
Approach the new year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day.
Michael Josephson
No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again.
Budha
And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.
Rainer Maria Rilke
As the new year begins let it be a year where you try new things, learn new things and develop to the potential within you.
Theodore W. Higginsworth
New Year’s Day is every man’s birthday.
Charles Lamb
A New Year brings new grace for new accomplishments.
Lailah Gifty Akita
As we look forward to the New Year, let’s resolve to recommit ourselves to the values we share.
Barack Obama
Take a leap of faith and begin this wondrous new year by believing.
Sarah Ban Breathnach
The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written.
Melody Beattie
What the new year brings you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.
Vernon McLellan
Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow.
Albert Einstein
Wrap up
To wrap up, I wish all my readers a wonderful end and a beautiful beginning for the year 2024. I would challenge each one of you to reflect back and end your year strong. I would like encourage you all to start new year with hope, joy, enthusiasm, positivity and love! Hoping and wishing for the best for each and everyone for the new year 2024!
Do share what is your favorite quote & anything specific you are looking forward to in the new year.
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Quotes to brighten your holiday season
2 replies on “Welcoming new year 2024”
It sounds like you’ve had an eventful 2023 with travels, family time, and meaningful experiences.
I am so glad that you got to see a Taylor Swift concert and I hope you have a Happy New Year.