What an apt theme for The Daily Post Photo Challenge this week. As the year draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on how long and difficult a year it’s been. It reminds me of the photo below with stormy clouds and a tumultuous sky. A horizon that felt like it was going on forever, at times threatening to overwhelm me.
But now a new year beckons and I’m thinking ahead.
I gave up making new year resolutions a long time ago. If there’s one certainty in my life it’ll be that I break them.
However the other certainty is that life will continue, with or without us and our plans. There are new roads to travel so we may as well have an idea where we’re going.
For me 2017 will be about new directions. Finding myself again after a year in limbo. Taking chances, putting myself out there, maybe taking up a course and pursuing a passion. It will be about seeing my kids settled, hopefully enjoying a big road trip mid year and, of course, more writing.
My daughter has finished school and is setting off on her own new journey. Just as all of us, in our own way, are embarking on new horizons
New directions, new hopes and possibilities are all waiting for us.
For me it’s about being positive and staying focused, writing down my dreams and goals, maybe even creating a vision board. It’s always a good thing to map out how we’d like our future to look.
Of course we all know that life has a way of disrupting our plans, however if we have a course of action we at least know the direction we’re sailing.
As the saying goes: You can’t discover new land without first losing sight of the shore.
Here’s to following our dreams, pursuing new horizons and exciting new adventures in 2017.
Wishing all of you a bright and golden future.
In response to The Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: New Horizon
Another beautiful post with lots of inspiration for the future. Great photographs too.
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Thank you so much Barbara.
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Lovely thoughts and aspirations for the coming year. I look forward to continuing to read the inspiration moving into next year 🙂
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Thanks David. I hope so too. BTW I’ll be posting about my fav places (as you suggested) later this week.
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So excited to read it – may take a while thought as we are in hospital Wednesday 🙂
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Oh, and I’m excited for you too. So excited. Thinking of you both right now.
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Inspiring thoughts to take us all into 2017 with a smile and a desire to do something, thank you
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Thanks Becky. I appreciate that.
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May 2017 be a great year for you Miriam. I love your thoughts 🙂
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Thanks Arlene. I wish the same for you as well.
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You say it all so well Miriam. I love your photos and words of wisdom. All the very best to you for the year ahead.
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And to you as well Debbie. I hope your week’s started off well.
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Yes it’s been a lovely day so here’s hoping the rest of the week follows suit 🙂
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I’m glad Deb. Enjoy.
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Uplifting post with beautiful photos
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Thanks Derrick.
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Wishing you a wonderful 2017 Miriam.😍
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Thank you Brigid. I hope yours is wonderful as well.xo
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A gorgeous series of images Miriam. I like the idea of following passions and dreams….something I am wrestling with at the moment. To go or not to go to a town in France where my Grandfather served in WW I. Hope all your dreams and desires come to fruition in 2017.
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Thank you. I hope you’re able to follow your dreams and passions as well. Sounds as though France is calling you. All the very best.
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Your last photo is simply beautiful, Miriam. It’s a perfect representation of the future – bright and golden. Let’s make the most of 2017.
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Thanks so much Carol.
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Wow! Inspiring pairing of beautiful words and photos. May hope light your way!
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And yours. Thank you for your lovely comment.
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Cheers cheers to that ! I loved the last quote ; You can’t discover new land without losing sight of the shore first. That must be what my year was about ! Those photos are splendid too 🙂
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Thanks Zee. Here’s to discovering new lands.
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Beautiful images Miriam and there is so much to be grateful for and to look forward too. Here’s to very happy and healthy new horizons!☺💖
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There is indeed Xenia. Thank you so much. xo
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You are very welcome Miriam 💖 xxx
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Seems like we are on a parallelt trajectory. Even if you don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions, a new year is opening up for pondering about a new time and new paths to take. I wish you all the best.
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Thanks Otto. It’s not so much that I don’t believe in them, the good intentions are always there but they just tend to fall by the wayside. Cheers to a good year for both of us.
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All hail the year of Miriam! I look forward to many more pictures of your homeland and stories of camping! PS: Great quote about sailing!
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Ah, you make me smile, my lovely truckie friend.
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You’ve stirred me up. It’s too hot to go Xmas shopping today besides I’m covered in Jarrah coloured splatters of deck paint. I’ll take your advice log onto Wikicamps and start planning!
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I’m in the same boat. Need to go out and just can’t be bothered today, far too hot. Wikicamps and holiday planning sounds like a much better idea!
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God, Miriam, I love this. There’s something really reassuring about how you wrote this. Thank you for that, and for your lovely presence!! Sending so many blessings on all your hopes and dreams and new directions for 2017. You are a blessed gift in my life. Peace — Debbie
ps – I’m going on a spiritual retreat in a few minutes so will be offline this week. Back up again next Monday!
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Beautiful horizons and admirable aspirations for the future. Best wishes to you!
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Thanks Tina, I appreciate that. Best wishes to you too.
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Beautifully written Miriam– hopeful that your year ahead will be full of blessing and strength in harder times. We don’t know all that is ahead– but I’m trusting God to walk through it all with me. Thanks for a chance to stop and reflect… Christmas hugs from here!!
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Thank you Rhonda for your beautiful comment. You’re right, we don’t know what’s ahead, glad I could help you reflect. Warm hugs back.
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Stunning photos to accompany your inspirations for new horizons to come. Thanks for your positive thoughts for the new year.
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You’re most welcome. xo
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lovely images, specifically the one of the boardwalk disappearing off into the sea, great composition.
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Thank you so much for dropping by and your lovely comment.
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Hey you’re welcome 🙂
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That’s a very sensible way to look at things! Something about a new years brings us hope for new things. Of course all of our plans will not come to be, but still…it’s setting off in a new and positive direction, and that’s always a good thing. And I loved your photos…so beautiful and illustrated the post perfectly!
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Thank you Ann. As always I appreciate your comment and lovely words. Here’s to a fulfilling new year for both of us.
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What a beautiful post…
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Thanks Sandra.
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what a sweet and inspiring post-Heres to the future!
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Aw, thanks so much.
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Good luck to your daughter in her new adventure out in life and also warm thoughts to you, Miriam – joy and pride tinged with feelings of missing her. New roads, new horizons for you all. 😀 I can’t wait to read about your road trip next year. This year has been one of rollercoaster events for me, mostly negative, sad…hoping for whatever counts as normal next year! Thank you for this beautiful thought-provoking post, I relish looking at the photos and especially the one driving on the beach…warmest wishes to you. Hugs, ♥️
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Hi Annika, I’m so sorry to hear that your year has been sad and a negative one, trust me I can relate to that with the passing of my mum. I hope that with a new year you’ll have the blessings of more positive times and new starts. Life is certainly a test isn’t it, yes, let’s hope that 2017 brings about more normal and peaceful times, as you said “whatever counts as normal”. Take care. Sending warm hugs to you too. xo
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Wonderful post, Miriam, and just the kind of thing I needed to read as the year drew to a close. I love that quote: “You can’t discover new land without first losing sight of the shore.” Really explains the necessity of pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones from time to time, travelling a path less trodden. Hope you have a lovely 2017!
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Thank you so much Shaun. Hope the year ahead is a wonderful one for you too.
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Just a beautiful post. So inspiring too… I bet everyone relates to this. Your pictures were gorgeous and accompanied what you were saying so well. I hope this next year brings only the best for you, Miriam!
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Thank you so much Mack. I hope it’s a wonderful year for you too. 😊
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As I read this post through sleepy, allergy eyes…I feel very inspired. That’s saying a lot in this moment!! 😉 Beautiful pictures and such a motivational post.
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Aw thanks so much Nikki. Doesn’t sound like much fun at all. Take care xo
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Beautiful photos and words, Miriam. Thanks for the quote too.
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You’re most welcome Ruth.
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Your post reminds me of another saying I often hear, “Ships were made for sailing.” Losing sight of the shore can be rather frightening but here’s hoping the new year will bring us the courage to head for many unknown horizons.
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I love that. Thank you so much.
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Great mix of images and words! Have to agree about making resolutions and then breaking them…
It’s enough to have something of a plan and a direction to head in with your partner, but try and go with the flow when the unexpected happens, and it always happens!
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That’s so very true, thanks PC.
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A vision board sounds like a lovely idea! You can fill it with pictures of all the sights you’d like to see.
Your pictures are stunning, by the way! As usual! My gosh they are so much eye candy! 😀
❤
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Glad you enjoyed my pictures dear friend. Just today I was talking to someone about a vision board, definitely something I think I’d like to do in the new year (when I have a bit of time!) Hope you’re going well Ness, I’m so behind in my reading. Must pop over and visit you soon! Big hugs to you xo
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Wow! She finished school??
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Yes, she finished this year. Makes me feel old! 😁
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Makes me feel old, too! Ha!
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But not as old as me!! Ha ha!
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May 2017 bring you lots of adventures!
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Thank you so much, I hope so too. Wishing you also an exciting and happy year ahead.
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Beautiful.
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Thanks Hannah. 🙂
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