Well, here we are again ... the end of another year. Time to let it go, right?
Have y'all plans to celebrate tonight? Or, like us, will this evening find you struggling to stay awake?
It doesn't seem so long ago, New Years Eve was an excuse to don formal wear and sip a glass of cheap bubbly.
More meaningful, those years in Florida when we'd attend our church's Burning Bowl service. (Some may remember, I've written about this before.)
After a time of prayer, each row in turn comes up, touches their paper to the light and inwardly repeats, "I release you; I let you go." The paper is then placed in the burning bowl.
I never thought about that before, but our pastor explained, it's a universal sort of thing. Fire is frequently used at the beginning of a new year for cleaning and transforming ... a way of convincing our consciousness that we have let it go.
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| I'm loathe to set anything on fire in this! ... but I still love using it. |
Not so lofty, but I'm more inclined to identify with the (unknown) gentleman who wrote of things he wants to let go of:
For instance?
I've no idea why certain pastel clothes hangers make me shutter -- isn't that silly? Nevertheless, it's time that their mint green selves go away.
My collection of short socks. I love their cute patterns and bold colors, but I want to trade up for more fabric that disguises my ghastly white legs.
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| See what I mean? |
Of course, there's more --
The hamper full of tattered scrapbooks containing faces of those I used to love -- now departed -- either to death ... or circumstance. Their images will mean nothing to my son and only make me sad when I dare to visit.
It's time.
No, I've not forgotten about "my" Word for 2026.
In fact, I'll write about that soon.
Spoiler alert: It's not just One Word.
Happy New Year!
Hugs, Myra
I've not heard of the burning pot. interesting!! It's good to let go of things that have weighted us down. Would you believe that I've already taken two loads of stuff over to Hangers of Hope.. A place that takes donations and doesn't profit off of your giving. Feels so good to have that stuff done. Hope you get those hangers out of your way as well as the socks. You will feel a breath of fresh air. lol
ReplyDeleteHangers of Hope ... I love that name! More so, their mission. Yes, bring on that fresh air!
DeleteI believe ... life is like a book. Read by a giraffe or a bear somewhere. Can you imagine if we were all characters in a book rather than our real selves?
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of things I wish I could let go. But the memories still haunt despite the years ... ... ...
But hey ... let's be positive and look forwards to better times in 2026; if not for us, then certainly for those we love and care for.
God bless you and your family my friend. I wish you all the best of the best ever.
You're so right, Victor. Memories still haunt, but it's best I put away any unnecessary visuals.
DeleteI hope this evening finds you and your loved ones feeling sweet and satisfied!
Oh, I loved this post, Myra. I will right there with you tonight...most likely sound asleep, with one eye open when someone outside sets off fireworks to boom in the New Year, and then I will go right back to sleep, (if I even do hear them at all!). The burning bowl is an interesting idea. I'm wracking my brain to think about what I would put in it if I had the opportunity, and I am coming up with blanks right now. I'm still musing over my new One Word...hopefully it will come together before tomorrow. I wear those ankle socks too, and I agree about the gap, but I still don't like socks to come higher because they often just fall back down around my ankles, or they are too hot. (I live in Florida, remember!) When I really care about what can be seen I use some knee high hosiery, which is usually on Sundays for church if I am wearing pants.
ReplyDeleteWell, whatever we do, let's have a blessed and wonderful New Year. God is with us!!
I'm so glad you "get" the socks debacle, too! Remember when men wore those garters to hold up their dress socks? I've a big box full of those knee-high nylons I wear under 'better' slacks to church, too. So much nicer than panty-hose!
DeleteI have been musing over some memories that various blogs have triggered. Time to let go of some of them and move on. What can't be changed may just be a lesson to make us stronger, resilient, and more compassionate in the days ahead.
ReplyDeleteWe will probably welcome the New Year from the comfort of our recliners snoozing until the clock strikes 12 and then off to bed. It was always an evening of parties and fun but so many of our friends have either moved both earthly and heavenly so we don't do it any longer. Not complaining though. Its all good.
Wishing you a great New Year and want to see a post about those dreaded green hangers (:0)
Sue
Great thoughts, Sue. Here's to more stronger, resilient and compassionate days ahead!
Deletelove that black eye pea bowl. and do your ghastly white legs have horrid blue ropes of varicose viens? mine do. I live in FL and I still wear sandals year round, and yes, I do wonder if all the other old women in the doctors office are staring at my feet and wondering why I don't cover them with hose.
ReplyDeletethis means the both of us needs to write down in the let it go bowl, forget what others think, and smile really big and talk like crazy and they will stop looking at your ankles..
Well, ya. As a matter of fact, I've owned those squiggly blue lines on my legs since my mid-teens. (ugh) I like your advice!
DeleteIt will be Mark and I tonight and we will stay up late and open a bottle of champagne. We will watch some of the New Year shows. That's pretty interesting about the two candles. Interesting what that man wants to get rid of. I would like all my hangers to be the same color, would be nice and I have a lot of socks to get rid of. Of course the whole house needs decluttering. I haven't picked a new word yet but I'm thinking it should be Great Health. Happy New Years Eve!
ReplyDeleteGreat Health is a spendid idea!
DeleteI just love this post. I have never heard of the burning bowl - but what a great idea. There are so many things I would put in it. Things I wish I hadn't done or could do over.
ReplyDeleteLet Go - good idea.
Happy New Year! Sandie
Happy New Year, my friend!
DeleteI love that final quote, “Pages are meant to be turned. Chapters are meant to end.” ❤️
ReplyDeleteMe, too!
DeleteNo resolutions here, but I have already started cleaning out closets. I have clothes that are way to big for me now and I'm not going to keep them. The pile is growing and it sure makes me feel good! My house is full of things no one wants or cares about. Geesh. It's all good and chapters ARE meant to end!! Sending love and hugs and wishes to you and yours for a very blessed and happy 2026!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful feeling, needing to make space for new, smaller clothes!
Delete💛 and hugs!
I am looking forward to seeing your new words, smiles. Wishing you a lovely New Year my friend.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Linda and Dave!
DeleteHappy New Year! We enjoyed our neighborhood fireworks display and then watch TV to see the ball drop in NYC. We had champagne to toast each other with. Hope 2026 is very good to you and yours! Love, ma
ReplyDeleteAnd the same to you, Ma! Here's to good health and good friends!
DeleteLoved the visit. Very good entry, love the graphics and THE PICTURE! Enjoyed the thoughts concerning the burning bowl, I do not think I have heard of it, BUT love the idea. Good stuff and Happy New year from over this way...
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Jack and Sherry!
DeleteI've never heard about the burning bowl, very interesting. Your Ick-o-Meter made me laugh, I have a long list that it would say ICK to. I love socks and wear them every day, my daughter gave me three pairs for Christmas, I love that girl. lol Great pic of you and hubby, Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! (Would you believe, that's my son!)
DeleteThe burning pot is interesting. Haven't tried that one. Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteAs far as staying up, I don't struggle, just go to bed at the usual time. We live way out in the country. It stays quiet as a mouse here which I like.
The short socks are cute. I have some too but they are boring black or boring white. I wear them during bedtime too because my feet get chilly when I'm sleeping.
Happy New Year! 🎉
... and I have the opposite problem. Half the night I keep one or the other sticking out.
Deletei am at the point where i try and identify things that are only important to me and get rid of them so no one else has to.
ReplyDeleteI mean does anyone but me care about the cool paperweight Aunt R gave me when I was 11?
I agree totally about the sock gap. I went to very thin knee socks. They stay up and are not as thin or silky as trouser socks..
I like the idea of a burn bowl.
I'm going to have to find me some cute thin knee socks!
Delete