“It is 9 o’clock, and I am sitting before the big fireplace in my library, where the pine knots are fast becoming ashes. Why not? Yes, why not see the Old Year out and the New Year in? I will pile more knots on the embers, and, leaning back in my chair, will see how the two years are mortised together. Why should I not help to look after these things, for I have had nearly eighty of these years, and every one of them chock full of gifts and goodness? I will have nothing to do with the doleful dolts, who count their troubles and see only what is missing. Tonight I shall see God tinkering at the joints of the years. Have you any idea how many years are locked together in one of these pine knots? Different trees, like different folk, vary in power to carry bruises and scratches. Early in life I learned there were two sides to everything, and I resolved that I would see always the bright side; I would stand as close as I could to God, and get his angle of vision. The more I see of the world, the more I am sure there is sunshine enough to go around. After all and thru it all, to make life worth the while, what we must have and make for health and growth, is soul-shine.” ~ Edward Payson Powell

“Every man should be born again on the first of January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one hole more in the buckle, if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but, on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take interest in the things that are and are to be, and not in the things that were and are past.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher

“Last night, between eleven and twelve o’clock… the Old Year was leaving her final foot-prints on the borders of Time’s empire…. she thus awaited the midnight knell that was to summon her to the innumerable sisterhood of departed years….
The New Year…. greeted the disconsolate Old Year with great affection, and sat down beside her… waiting for the signal to begin her rambles through the world. The two were own sisters, being both grand-daughters of Time; and though one looked so much older than the other, it was rather owing to hardships and trouble than to age, since there was but a twelve-month’s difference between them.” ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

“‘Happy New-year! happy New-year!’ It is the day of hope and a fresh beginning. Old debts shall be forgiven; old feuds forgotten; old friendships revived. Today shall be better than yesterday. The good vows shall be kept. A blessing shall be wrung from the fleet angel Opportunity. There shall be more patience, more courage, more faith; the dream shall become life; today shall wear the glamour of tomorrow. Ring out the old, ring in the new!” ~ George William Curtis

Source: Quote Garden