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Quote of the Day: Hal Borland

January 2nd, 2011

Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on,
with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.
~Hal Borland


I know many people that make New Year’s resolutions, I don’t, never have. It is however, a great time to sit down and think about the previous year, learning from past mistakes and successes and trying to take those lessons into the coming year. I find that I do this better throughout the year rather than at this busy time of year, I try to take stock of how things are going often and make small adjustments rather than making big drastic changes at New Year’s.

Do you make resolutions? What are some of the ones you have for 2011?

9 Comments to “Quote of the Day: Hal Borland”
  1. Nebraska Dave on January 2, 2011 at 9:53 am

    Resolutions? No. Perhaps plans would describe more what I do. This year I have two projects to complete. One is a Food storage area in my basement by Spring and the other is an out door patio with firepit by summer’s end. It’s not something I must do everyday or fail. It’s not something that must be done or fail. It’s some that I can look back on at year’s end and say, “Yes I did accomplish something this year.”

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  2. Kathryn on January 2, 2011 at 11:54 am

    Yes and no. I’ve tended to have a vague “i want to be better at . . . ” without clear goals in mind. I think that kind of thing tends to fall thru.

    For the past several years my “i want to be better at” has been about keeping up with birthdays in our huge extended family. I only send a card, but i know when i do folks appreciate the thought. Again, this year i’m going to do that, but i’m going to do it more actively this year with an email to myself a week before the event.

    Not a resolution, but a new plan i want to activate is that we want to do Christmas differently next year. I’m walking away from trying to find gifts for our nieces and nephews and planning to do small things for the 12 days of Christmas. A home made bookmark, finger puppets, lip balm, just planning small things but as there are 12 months, i’m thinking i’ll do one project a month and be prepared by the time Christmas arrives, and by doing so will be “keeping Christmas” all year around.

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  3. annie on January 2, 2011 at 11:56 am

    I never make new year’s resolutions. Instead, I allow myself to decided to change at any time. I don’t like to wait for special occasions.

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  4. Michelle on January 2, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    I don’t make resolutions…but rather I set goals. Resolutions typically center around taking something away…whereas goals seem more positive…a way to gain…a skill, knowledge, etc.

    Happy New Year….the quote is great.

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  6. Eleanor on January 2, 2011 at 7:47 pm

    I don’t make resolutions. I like to think my life is more fluid than that kind of finality would allow. However, if I’m feeling contemplative at this time of year, I like to think in terms of my personal intentions — how I want to live in the coming year. It’s mostly about getting more deeply in touch with my values and thinking about how better to align my life with them. But no hard and fast proclamations.

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  7. Mrs. Whimsy on January 2, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    I don’t make new years resolutions either…I never have. If something needs to be changed…why wait? I make changes and goals all year long. I reflect as issues or accomplishments arise.

    I do love to hear what other people do for the new year though.

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  8. Deerfield on January 3, 2011 at 9:33 am

    I’m so pleased to see someone still reading and referencing Hal Borland. His nature writings have been some of my favorites for many, many years.

    Reply to Deerfield's comment

  9. Sincerely, Emily on January 4, 2011 at 6:34 pm

    No, definitely no resolutions. I always have a list on the fridge of things that need to be done. That is ongoing. It needs revising at time, but it is always there to look at. I also have a daily list of things I should do that day. I think is is easier to make changes throughout the year as they come up. Like you mentioned, this is a good time of year to assess things and make changes if they need to be made. Emily

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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