Quotes that Resonate this January

"A commonplace book is a highly personal anthology,

and part of the joy in creating one is that it gives a

deeper sense of self: by selecting fragments of language

that speak to you, you become more aware of your

own taste, beliefs and judgement."

MIRANDA MILLS, YouTube vlogger

Posted here are a few lines that I have gathered into my journal these beginning days of January. Each quote for me has meaning and brings a little something to the table while I dreamily mull what 2024 might look like—what I wishfully hope for in real life as the days unfold.

Perhaps you will find words that resonate with your own soul as you start a new week. I hope so.

🎔

December 29th

(As a writer I want to bring these words with me into the New Year)

"Because right now, there is someone

out there with a wound in the exact

shape of your words."

SEAN THOMAS DOUGHERTY, The Second O of Sorrow

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January 1st

"What a wonderful thought it is

that some of the best days of our

lives haven't even happened yet."

ANNE FRANK

"Make something you

can give away."

SUSAN BRANCH

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January 2nd

"I'm getting better, happier, and

nicer as I grow older. So I would

be terrific in a couple hundred years."

MAEVE BINCHY

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January 3rd

"Because even with the dark parts and

the light parts and the good parts and the

bad parts, dinner must still be served."

PATTI CALLAHAN, Once Upon A Wardrobe, p. 102

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January 4th

The word 'restoration' has been singing in my heart of late.

As I ponder what I yearn for in my life words begin to flow;

I write them down:

Restored health for my body,

Restored joy in my writing,

Renewed hope in God's goodness,

Hope and healing for our world,

My dreams and purpose restored,

A restoration of true hospitality with ease and grace,

Order, simplicity, and beauty in my home.

My own thoughts

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January 5th

"(The) world remains 'bent' and smudged by generations

of the sins of humanity, but it is, deep down, still fresh

and radiant with the unquenchable glory of God, made

manifest to those with the eyes to see."

JANET MORLEY, Haphazard by Starlight, p. 142

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January 7th

"But there always have been and always

will be people who are . . . starved for

nourishment. I am one of those readers and I am

also one who can occasionally provide this food.

That is all that really matters to me this morning."

MAY SARTON, Journal of a Solitude, p. 68

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January 10th

"Always be on the lookout

for the presence of wonder."

E.B. WHITE

"It is no bad thing to

celebrate a simple life."

J.R.R. TOLKIEN

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January 12th

"Let go of old and tired things."

As seen on Instagram

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January 15th

"Because you see so much

to make you sad, that doesn't mean

it is your duty to be unhappy."

HELEN MACINNES, While Still We Live, p. 228

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January 19th

"I'm beginning to suspect that the second half

of life is about learning to let go of everything

I feverishly collected over the first half that

wasn't loving or human."

MICHAEL XAVIER

"If a book is well written,

I always find it too short."

JANE AUSTEN

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January 20th

"Snow had fallen, snow on snow."

CHRISTINA ROSSETTI

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January 22nd

"I scribble my list of promises.

The ways I hope to be kind.

To be gentle. To forgive.

To try and try again."

BARBARA MAHANY, The Stillness of Winter

"It was her habit to build laughter

out of inadequate materials."

JOHN STEINBECK, Grapes of Wrath

❦

Wishing you dear friends a beautiful week,

Brenda

Photo Credit:

Image by Nennieinszweidrei from Pixabay