Happy New Year to one and all!  Did you bring in the New Year in style?  Perhaps a night of dancing, singing, talking and celebration.

As we move from one year to the next, a new joy emerges… one of hope for a wonderful new year and writing a new chapter in our life.  But also one of nostalgia and appreciation for those wonderful people we have in our lives…a huge feeling of gratefulness.

Last night until the wee hours of this morning, I spent time with several great friends and their partners.  Sharing a meal, a wine, great conversation and lots of laughter.  I could not have asked for a better night.  Laid back, relaxing and huge contentment still remains after the midnight countdown.

Watching the Sydney fireworks displayed on the big screen at my friend’s house, noting the colours were fantastic and better than previous years.  Laughter exploded when my dear husband pointed out that we were watching it on a bigger and better TV screen.  LOL!

The tribute to our Emergency Services was beautifully appreciated in fireworks colour with an emphasis on their huge sacrifice.  With our nation experiencing horrid drought and ravaging bushfires threatening families and the environment, the tribute was heartfelt.

Our hearts go out to those families that have lost loved ones as a result of the devastation.  These fire-fighting heroes have lost their lives doing something that they believe in and that the rest of us are grateful for their care and bravery in such frightening times.  Their memories will live on in their families, friends and colleagues.

We all hope for rain to stop the fires ravaging our country and allow the brave men and women of our Emergency Services time out with their own families and to rest and recover themselves.  We are thankful to have these heroes fighting the heated battle daily to help many strangers in need across so many communities.

As I listened to the song “Auld Lang Syne” to mark the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020… I had forgotten the meaning of this song and those lyrics.  A little quiet humming remained.  Historians have called it “the song that nobody knows” yet we have all tried to sing it, many of times.

“Auld Lang Syne” is originally based on a 1788 Scottish poem by Robert Burns and is typically sung on New Year’s Eve around the world.  The Scottish phrase “auld lang syne” translates to “old long since” and basically means “days gone by” which is an appropriate toast for the New Year.

In Australia, the lyrics we sing today are a more modern version of the Scots poem.  So when everyone sings the chorus “for auld lang syne”, this translates to “for the sake of old times”.  The song also reflects love, friendship and nostalgic memories.  This folk song is also sung at funerals, graduations and is a farewell song on other occasions.

Video Credit ~ YouTube and “Christmas Songs and Carols – Love to Sing”

For me, this song represents an appreciation for time spent with good friends and family support.  I love the analogy of “a cup of kindness” and the depiction of raising a glass to our friendships in the past and for the future.

Enjoy time with your family, time with your friends and time to reflect solo.  Start setting your goals for the New Year to work towards making your dreams a reality.  You have all the tools within you to make it happen.  But first, you must believe you can do it and you will.

Happy New Year fellow readers!

Take care, Karen.

“This is a new year.  A new beginning.  

And things will change.”

~Taylor Swift, singer.