5 January 2012

New Year Sentiments and Reflections

I hope that all readers and everyone who knows me, knows of me or for whatever reason reads the MBMG Updatehas had a wonderful festive season and is looking forward to all that 2012 can bring. As someone who is always happyto rely on the wisest words of the finest minds at times when I can’t think of anything better to add to what has alreadybeen said, I’d like to welcome the supposedly final year of a particular Mayan calendar cycle (of apparently no apocalyptic significance) with the following views from the shoulders of giants of poetry and philosophy (as opposed to the economic giants whose thoughts I usually borrow):  

“No one ever regarded the first of January with indifference.It is that from which all date their time, and count upon what is left. It is the nativity of our common Adam.”– Charles Lamb 

“Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring, happy bells, across the snow: 

The year is going, let him go;

Ring out the false, ring in the true.”

– Alfred Lord Tennyson 

“It is better to spend money like there's no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there's no money.” P J O’ Rourke  

“Every New Year is the direct descendant, isn't it, of a long line of proven criminals? “ – Ogden Nash 

“Surely, it is much easier to respect a man who has always had respect, than to respect a man who we know was last year no better than ourselves, and will be no better next year.” – Samuel Johnson  

And finally a timely message about how to approach life from George Gordon, Lord Byron, who grew up in the same neck of the woods as I did, albeit 150 years earlier! 

“Here's a sigh to those who love me,
And a smile to those who hate:
And, whatever sky's above me,
Here's a heart for every fate.” 

Enjoy your day and your year, have a very happy, healthy, successful and wonderful 2012!