I’m bringing this back from its original publication on this blog in 2015. Its message is timeless and it still expresses my deepest wish for you in the year ahead.
And remember, every single day is a new beginning, even if you’re reading this in July.
Forget the New Year’s resolutions
At least for today…
Open your heart and mind to the possibilities held for you in the year ahead. Ask God for guidance, and trust you will be exactly where you’re supposed to be, making the connections you’re supposed to make, and learning what you’re supposed to learn, even if your circumstances seem difficult or you can’t see beyond the tunnel you seem to be going through on the road of your life. You’ll see the next piece of the road when you get to the other side of this dark place, and it will be bright and beautiful.
May the video below inspire you. It includes the lovely prayer by Charlotte Anselmo and the beautiful rendition of “Auld Lang Syne” by Norwegian soprano Sissel. Thank you to my friend Jo Stickley for sharing this with me. Sissel is widely regarded as one of the finest and most talented sopranos in the world. Her voice is exquisite. Scroll down for the poem and the English lyrics to “Auld Lang Syne” too. If you want to read the prayer here and skip to the song in the video, it begins at 1 minute:30 seconds.
I believe in you
You are on this earth for a reason, and you are making a difference. I wish you every blessing in the year ahead.
Love,
Elizabeth
New Year’s Prayer
by Charlotte Anselmo
Thank you Lord for giving me
The brand new year ahead
Help me live the way I should
As each new day I tread.
Give me gentle wisdom
That I might help a friend
Give me strength and courage
So a shoulder I might lend.
The year ahead is empty
Help me fill it with good things
Each new day filled with joy
And the happiness it brings.
Please give the leaders of our world
A courage born of peace
That they might lead us gently
And all the fighting cease.
Please give to all upon this earth
A heart that’s filled with love
A gentle happy way to live
With Your blessings from above.
Auld Lang Syne
Auld Lang Syne in its current iteration was written by Robert Burns, adapted by him in the late 1700s from earlier traditional ballads. It was first published in 1796 after Burns’s death. An old Scotch tune, “Auld Lang Syne” translates to “old long ago,” or simply, “the good old days.”
Auld Lang Syne English lyrics
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
And here’s a hand, my trusty friend
And gie’s a hand o’ thine
We’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
I loved the video and the prayer. That’s the most beautiful singing of “Auld Lang Syne” that I’ve ever heard!
I’m so glad you loved it as much as I did, Leloy. Yes, her voice is absolutely stunning, isn’t it? Thanks so much for leaving a comment.
I love the “ask” and “trust” statements near the beginning of this post, Elizabeth. Once the request is in God’s hands, we can begin to visualize His answer–to prosper us and give us a hope and a future. Amen!
Yes, what a wonderful insight, Nancy! Thanks so much for reading and commenting! Happy New Year!
Beautiful! The song, the poem, your New Year’s blessing to us all. Right back at you, Elizabeth! xo
Thank you, Pamela! Your support this past year has been so greatly appreciated, and I’m looking forward to meeting you at the Word Shark’s writing retreat in June!
Oh, that writing retreat will be a writing blast of high proportion – or propulsion. 🙂