The first day of 2013 was cold, clear, calm and sunny which made it the best of winter days in Canada. The sun is slightly stronger and stays slightly longer each day as we move slowly toward spring. My husband and I walked a few trails this afternoon and I took this picture of our shadows as we looked for birds along the river for the Big January count.
This is a favourite trail close to home. The boardwalk crosses a fast moving creek that once powered a mill just a short distance downstream. Large, expensive homes now surround this small natural area and it is easy to miss the entrance and just as easy to forget the history of the tiny community.
Time marches on. Change is inevitable and happens at a faster pace each year. Change can be good but it is often unsettling and stressful. How easy it is to complain as we get older and the years flow faster into each other. Changing responsibilities, abilities, relationships, communities and economic realities can create resentment and bitterness.
As I follow the path of 2013 a day at a time, I want to do so with joy, optimism, faith and good will. I tire of the cynicism and chronic complaining that is rampant and so contagious in spite of our prosperity and many blessings. I say to myself,
"This is a good year to move away from feelings of self-centred entitlement to an unselfish, forgiving and generous spirit."
There can be peace and beauty in even the most challenging journey.
If I were to say, ''God, why me?'' about the bad things, then I should have said,
''God, why me?'' about the good things that happened in my life.
