Wednesday, December 31, 2008

A Time For Reflection

December has been such a busy month for me and I have missed visiting with you. I am now back home after just returning from Texas where we had a wonderfully busy time with our kids and grandkids. The few Christmas decorations I put up this year are safely tucked away up in the attic and I have some time to reflect on this past year and think about some goals for 2009. Can it be 2009 already? It seems just yesterday that we were all worried about Y2K!



In my studio there is a round table where we have our breakfast each morning. It usually is pushed up against the wall next to our kitchen, but I decided to move it in front of the window to better enjoy the view of the woods. So here is where I sit right now as I write.

When I was younger I used to have too many things I hoped to accomplish in the new year. Now I am older and wiser, or maybe just have less energy! In any event my goals are much different now. Over the next few days I'll share some of them with you.



I know that one of them will be to live more with my heart and less with my head. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5

"Many people miss their whole lives you know. Listen, life isn't when you are standing on top of a mountain looking at a sunset. Life isn't waiting at the altar or the minute your child was born, or that time when you were swimming in deep water and a dolphin came up alongside you. These are fragments. Ten or twelve grains of sand spread throughout your entire existence. These are not your life. Life is brushing your teeth, or making a sandwich, or watching the news, or waiting for the bus. Every day thousands of events happen and if you're not watching, if you're not careful, if you don't capture them and make them count, you could miss it. You could miss your whole life."

I am going to pay more attention to the little things this year. I don't want to miss my whole life. Do you?


See you next year! I always loved saying that on New Year's Eve when I went to bed !


Rhondi xo


*The quote is from a book titled Addition by Toni Jordan. I haven't read it. I saw it on someone else's blog but can't remember who!

34 comments:

  1. Happy New Year to you - thank you for sharing your thoughts. lots of love Judithx

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  2. Good Morning Rhondi.....What a wonderful post! I couldn't agree more!....It is truly those everyday moments that make your life worthwhile!....Looking forward to enjoying your thoughts & posts in 2009!.... Your friend, Heidi XO

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  3. Happy New Year, Rhondi! What a great post. I have to check out that book. I absolutely love that quote and it is so very true. I am often rushing and bustling through life and I also need to slow down and enjoy my life. And I truly love insightful posts like this. I love anything that gives you something to ponder. Thank you so much for sharing!!

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  4. What a wonderful quote....I wish you all that your heart desires in 2009 Rhondi. Hope this year will bring a chance for the two of us to get together!
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  5. Rhondi,
    Does time fly faster than in days past? It seems to me that it does...we all need to slow down and appreciate each day's blessings to the fullest...

    Wishing you and yours a wonderful, spirit-filled 2009....Betty

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  6. Life is a celebration of the ordinary things! I think we should all live in the moment. It is the plain things that are actually extra ordinary - today that meant spending extra time with DH since it is not busy for him at work and making a dinner he loved and cuddling with my cat. It is the long soak in the bath reading a book or making the bed and being grateful for my quilts. I just so agree with you on these things as you can see.

    Have a safe and happy New Year and may 2009 be a year in which your dreams come true!

    Hugs ~
    Heidi

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  7. Rondi,

    Beautiful----my feelings also.

    someday when you have time-please share with me how or what camera you use----your photos are always so pretty and clear.

    HAPPY NEW YEAR -MAY YOU NEVER MISS THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE, THE SMALL DAILY THINGS AS YOU HAVE WRITTEN.

    sUE

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  8. Wonderful quote and wise words. Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful 2009! laurie

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  9. A great year and blessings for a great new one as well!
    Happy New Year,
    kari & kijsa

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  10. It is too bad that often it takes until we are "middle aged" to realize the small moments are what make up life. I don't want to miss any more than I have. This is a great reminder to live life purposefully Rhondi. Happy New Year and God's blessings to you in the coming year!

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  11. Hi Rhondi,
    What pretty pictures you have here today. I love the blue and what a pretty place to sit and enjoy the view.

    The quote is wonderful and so true. Thanks for sharing it.

    Happy New Year,
    Kim

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  12. I wish you the pleasure of every minute - because every minute is a gift from God.

    Happy New Year, dear Rhondi.

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  13. Hi Rhondi.
    I am so glad you got to be with the Grand babies..... Happy New Year..... It has been wonderful sharing some of the year with you...
    Hugs
    Linda

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  14. Happy New Year Rhondi! Your blog is beautiful and I love looking at the gorgeous pictures of your colorful and uplifting home.
    Blessings,
    Madeline

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  15. I enjoyed this post, so true!

    Have missed you, I'm looking forward to getting back to "normal" but it will be a week or so before that happens around here!

    Katherine

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  16. Great post.
    Happy New Year and best wishes for a whole year of good days.

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  17. You know, I've read that scripture many times and just got it. Thank you. The older I get the more I think I should have enjoyed the little things more. You blink and the kids are grown. I should have enjoyed them more. To live in the moment is a great New Years resolution. Have a happy and healthy 2009. Mimi

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  18. I am so blessed to call you a blogger friend. I have so felt your prayers this past year. I am praying for you a BLESSED New Year!!Heres to living all the small moments in our life.

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  19. I love your post today! I hope 2009 is filled with bountiful blessings for you & your family!
    Hugs,
    Carol

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  20. I'm glad that you were able to spend some time with your family at Christmas. It's already the new year here...I'm about to turn in myself.

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  21. Happy New Year Rhondi! Wishing you all the best in 2009! Beautiful post. XXOO

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  22. Welcome back, Rhondi, and Happy New Year!
    A beautiful post to see out the old year - the wonder really is in the everyday. That's my greatest gift, my lottery win, my huge stroke of fortune - the minutia of everyday life.

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  23. Wishing you a Happy New Year to Rhondi filled with wonderful things in store for you! Thanks for your sweet friendship over the past year!

    Hugs,
    Maryjane

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  24. New Year greetings from England Rhondi, I'm so glad you had a good yuletide. It was so nice to see the place where you sit to write. I could just imagine myself there, sharing a pot of tea and a natter with you. We all have dreams for 2009 so here's hoping a few of yours come true and it will be a year to remember with a happy heart and a smile. love, Eli

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  25. Hello Rhondi, I so enjoyed your thoughts on this post. I agree with what is the most important part of our lives. I tried so hard to visit everyone yesterday but time ran out.

    Happy New Year to you and your loved ones. May everything good be yours in 2009.

    Blessings and love...Jeanne

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  26. Rhondi,

    I absolutely loved your post. You are SO right. I try to tell my husband to stop waiting to retire for his life to begin! It happens every morning when you wake and see all the little things around you. Some good, some bad, but that's just it, it's LIFE.

    Thank you for reminding us to treasure each and every moment.

    Happy New Year,

    Cathy

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  27. Hi Rhondi,
    Lovely post!Iam so glad I had some time to visit today(snow storm here)as I love your blog.
    I went back to the summer and I see you have a lovely garden also.
    Love your blue and white dishes and your chaise with the quilt also.
    Happy New Year,
    Carolyn

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  28. Rhondi,
    Thanks for stopping by this morning. You are so right. Life goes by so fast and so often we miss the little, simple things that make life great.
    Thank you my dear friend.
    Bren

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  29. Thank you for reminding us Rhondi about living and enjoying the small things of everyday life. I try to do this too and find, in all honesty, that I truly enjoy them much more than big happenings.

    May this be a healthy, happy and prosperous you for you and your dear family - and hopefully we'll get together before this year passes by!

    Thank you for sharing the beauty of your home, your travels, and all the love.
    Hugs - Mary.

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  30. This is a wonderful post and oh so true. It makes you pause and think for sure. Glad you are back, you have been missed. Happy New Year.
    Nancy

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  31. Happy New Yeark Rhondi! What a wonderful post! I hope this year is one filled with love, good health, and joy...

    Hugz,
    Michele

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  32. Your photos are so beautiful, looking at your blog is always so relaxing. Glad you had a good visit with your family. Wishing you and your loved ones many blessings in the coming year.

    Take care . . .

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  33. Hi, Rhondi! :-)

    So glad to see you back! We've missed you. I look forward to your Thankful Thursdays again. And I love your resolution. I've been thinking those same thoughts myself... that THIS is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it! Each moment. Each day. Life isn't about that next mountain top... it's the valleys and the climb, too!

    Love to you and a very Happy New Year!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  34. Hi Rhondi, Happy New Year! It has been a pleasure to meet you this year through blogging! Blessings to you in 2009, Nancy

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Hi
Thanks so very much for taking the time to leave a comment. I always read every one. I am glad you stopped by for a visit. Hope you'll come again!
Rhondi