Literary history doesn’t record what views, if any, Ebenezer Scrooge held about that other famed mid-winter celebration: New Year.
As the clocks strike twelve, on each 31st December, and one year dissolves into the next, there is a palpable sense of the past meeting the future in the present. Received wisdom decrees that the start of a fresh year is a time for reflection and for pledging to doses of personal improvement. Ergo, we shouldn’t need a series of visits from a troika of ghosts to nudge us towards a better way.
Time has hopscotched its way across the last twelve months at a fiery pace collecting, en route, tales of triumph and tragedy to add to the briefcase of history. Sadly the geopolitical and the regular political landscapes of 2016 don’t lend themselves to a narrative of hope and the 2017 skies are overhung with worrying storm clouds of unknowns.
Optimism is one of my default modes and rose-tinted spectacles my favourite accessory. So, my wish for 2017 is that we all, but especially those who control the levers of power, will be guided in decision making by what Abraham Lincoln called “the better angels of our nature.”
I have posted sporadically on JAA in 2016. The blog will continue but posting will likely be at the same infrequent rate, although I hope to do a little better than I did last year.
Thank you SO much for reading my blog, it means a lot to me that you do.
Happy New Year!
With every good wish
B Xx
Just Add Attitude 
A nicely written piece – you paint a vivid picture in words so keeping blogging ! Yes a time for reflection and of course like myself, you have a birthday thrown in for good measure, which of course magnifies the sense of “life reflection” …
Belated Happy Birthday 🎉 🎂
That 2017 may be kind to all of us …
Thanks so much Margaret and a Happy Birthday to you too. And amen to 2017 being kind to us all. Bx
Happy New Year B! It’s always a treat to visit your blog and read your posts, regardless of the frequency! I love your quote… the better angels of our nature. This strikes me as very fitting as we head into 2017!
Thank you so much Heather and a very Happy New Year to you. I hope it’s a happy one for you. B x
Wishing you a joyful one. I’ll join you with the rosy specs xx
Thank you kindly Jo. I am quite attached to my rosy specs. Xx
Thanks for spending so much time with me yesterday. 🙂 It’s much appreciated.
You are welcome Jo. Thank you for your comment. 😉
A very happy New Year B and may we all enjoy health and peace in 2017- love Hxx
Thank you so much H and a very happy New Year to you too and yes to health and peace in 2017. Love B xxxx
Happy New Year and belated Happy Birthday to you both, B and M. I love your posts, B. Please keep them up.
G XX
Many happy returns G and thank you. B xxx
Happy New Year B. I love your posts and read them avidly even though I rarely comment. Rarely does not mean never though! T x
Thanks you so much Trish and a very Happy New Year to you. Bx