Happy New Year

January 1, 2017 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

It’s taken me a long time to understand…that happiness is not an entitlement, nor is it a state of being that magically descends upon us when the stars are aligned.

Rather, it’s the product of continued hard work and effort.

It’s closely linked to contentment, and the adjustment of our eyes and brains and expectations to find gratitude in our many blessings rather than misery in what we lack.

Life is always going to be challenging and unpredictable. We’re constantly dodging hurdles and occasionally, we’re going to trip. But if we work on changing how we view the world – if we learn to celebrate every sunrise and every smile and every taste and every glimpse of beauty and colour, no matter how small…then we can find tiny pockets of bliss in even the most difficult of times.

Learning to be happy takes practice and application, and whilst I’m getting better, I’m still not brilliant at it. Sometimes, life can feel overwhelming. When that happens, I try to eke out an hour – to go for a walk, or have coffee with a friend, or study my fossils, or sew a useful bag – something to calm the jitters and soothe the soul. These small things keep me present and grounded, and they help me to reconnect with what is real in my life. Rather than being mere distractions, it’s only in those moments, when my heart is full of love and gratitude and contentment, that I feel like I’m truly living well.

I hope you all find moments of sheer, unadulterated joy in both the spectacular and the everyday in 2017. I wish you gentle times and peaceful hearts.

Happy New Year, my lovely friends. ♥

Posted in Musings | 48 Comments

48 Responses

on January 1, 2017 at 6:56 am sallybr

Happy New Year, Celia! Those are wise words, words to try and live by. I see room for improvement in myself….

Looking forward to your posts in the new year that already started for you….
on January 1, 2017 at 6:59 am Viki Jones-Lambley

Happy New Year, such true words and something I am working on.
on January 1, 2017 at 7:02 am marilynscottwaters

Thank you, my lovely friend. Wishing you many moments of tiny beauty in the year ahead. Hugs and love, Maz. <3
on January 1, 2017 at 7:07 am Debra Kolkka

Happy new year, I hope it is a lovely one for you and your boys.
on January 1, 2017 at 7:09 am Laura Kate

Beautiful words. Happy new year.
on January 1, 2017 at 7:10 am Big Whiskey

HappyNewYear to us all!
on January 1, 2017 at 7:11 am Manuela

Happy New Year! Wishing you and your family all the best for the coming year.
on January 1, 2017 at 7:18 am Ardys

The very best to you and your family Celia.
on January 1, 2017 at 7:30 am Heidi

Happy New Year! I always enjoy the time I spend with you here. x
on January 1, 2017 at 8:01 am fergie51

Your wisdom and insight shared at just the right time. So true and so valuable. Happy New Year!
on January 1, 2017 at 8:18 am Chica Andaluza

Oh Celia, such a wise and beautiful post. We’re still living the last few hours of 2016 while you are already greeting 2017. I read, not an hour ago, a beautiful post from a friend which reflected in being part of a relationship…it’s not all roses round the door and Hollywood kisses but hard work sometimes and about being there for each other whatever. Wishing you and yours all the very best for the year ahead. And now it’s almost midnight in Spain so we’re going to eat a grape on every bing bong of the chimes from Madrid and then at midnight in England we’ll raise a glass of bubbles when Big Ben chimes….it’s good to have a few nationalities!
- on January 1, 2017 at 2:03 pm sallybr
  
  Loved your comment… as a Brazilian, I always toast at 8pm here, when it’s midnight “back home” (sounds strange to call back home when I’ve been living in the US for more than 20 years)….
on January 1, 2017 at 8:23 am Merle

Happy New Year and may 2017 bring you all you wish for yourself and your family.

My very wise and wonderful father counselled me, as a child, that to be truly happy one should never expect anyone else to make one happy. If one did, no matter how much they gave one, it would never match one’s expectations. True happiness, he said, can only come from within oneself and anything that anyone else gives one is only the icing on the cake. He also said that one should live in the moment, as that is all one has, the past has gone and the future may never come. All the precious moments we are given should never be squandered.

I really believe that my father was a truly happy and joy-filled person, despite the vicissitudes of life and I like to think his wise advice has empowered me to be the same. xx
on January 1, 2017 at 8:50 am Glenda

Very inspirational post. I went for a walk after reading it. Happy New Year, Celia. xxx
on January 1, 2017 at 8:53 am Amanda (@lambsearsandhoney)

Happy new year to someone who regularly brings joy to others – love you to bits, my friend. xxx
on January 1, 2017 at 9:32 am 1cookielady12

Very well said, Beautiful view we can all learn a lesson in slowing down and finding the blessing we have. Happy healthy new years to you and your family. Lury
on January 1, 2017 at 9:37 am Francesca

Pockets of bliss … happy new year Celia. This is a wonderful piece of writing. It has taken me all my life … nearly 67 years… to learn these things too and now i can honestly say that i am truly content, madly in love and focused on life. Small pockets of bliss… love it.
on January 1, 2017 at 9:47 am Sue

I always love reading your posts Celia – beautiful words and heartfelt meanings – I couldn’t agree more! Whilst we have never met, I enjoy all your posts and wish you the happiest of years, filled with gentle love, joy and contentment. 💕💕💕
on January 1, 2017 at 9:48 am Susan

Wonderful words. I too am content. I have this on my fridge:
We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us! Thank you for all the wonderful thoughts you have sent our way over the years. Happy New Year to you and yours.
on January 1, 2017 at 10:03 am Eha

Could not agree more with every word you have written . . . may the Higher Powers bless you and your family in the year just started . . .
on January 1, 2017 at 10:17 am Cat

Such true words and words I needed to hear today, thank you Celia and Happy New Year xo
on January 1, 2017 at 10:19 am Cat

Ditto :-)
on January 1, 2017 at 10:55 am Eileen

Happy, healthy and beautiful New Year to you, your family, and multitudes of friends near and far.
on January 1, 2017 at 11:17 am Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

When I was young, my dad taught me that being happy was a choice. Whenever I had a problem, he would say, “In three years’ time, will this be a crisis?” Of course I would say no. Then he would give me a hug and say, “Then let it go now and save all this pain.”

He was always right. He also taught me to accept what is but to pick my battles so when it was REALLY important to me, I’d win. It works.

I loved this post, Celia! Happy New Year to you and the whole family. May 2017 bring improved health, prosperity and lots of happiness.
on January 1, 2017 at 11:19 am Meg

Happy New Year to you too, Celia. May this new year be filled with much hope and much happiness in both the extraordinary and the ordinary, the big and the small. Meg:)
on January 1, 2017 at 12:37 pm tiffinbitesized

Wise words Celia. I have been enjoying your morning walks and know how much you enjoy this time alone or with Big Boy. Happy 2017. It’s a jam packed year for me but hope to be down later in the year so will connect with you when I know what’s happening. Fiona xxx
on January 1, 2017 at 3:06 pm Liz - Good Things

Sage words, Celia. Wishing you peaceful times and happiness in 2017. xxxx
on January 1, 2017 at 3:10 pm Anne Swinton

Celia, love your posts, so strange to have such a wonderful ‘friend’ I have never met who is so informative, helpful, wise and inspiring. I wish you and your family a wonderful 2017 with much happiness and the best of health to all. Looking good here with gentle rain falling at long last and a frog making a lot of happy noise in the downpipe outside my window, welcoming the rain we need so badly. Our bees will be so happy with the drop in temperature, such hard little workers that they are … your ‘bees knees’ was yummy, have introduced our friends to it thru’ December 😊
on January 1, 2017 at 4:27 pm Jan

What a lovely blessing that makes – “I wish you gentle times and peaceful hearts”. I wish that for you too.
on January 1, 2017 at 8:47 pm Shaheen

Insightful and beautifully written Celia, Happy New Year to you.
on January 1, 2017 at 11:03 pm anyone4curryandotherthings

what a beautiful post, Celia. I wish you from all my heart a Happy New Year filled with love, health and good fortune. Looking forward to another year of joy reading your blog. Thank you.
on January 1, 2017 at 11:33 pm thesnowwoman

Happy New Year!
on January 2, 2017 at 12:44 am no1ladykay

Excellent words to start the New Year. May it be a healthy and happy one for you and your family.
on January 2, 2017 at 2:03 am Mo

I’ve always ( well in the last 15 years, it just feels like always) said that moments of pure happiness and joy are fleeting. Not a constant state of being. When people say they are happy I think they mean more that they are contented, at peace with their world.

Mo
on January 2, 2017 at 9:19 am shelleybrunson

And a blessed new year to you! The mustard seed customers thoroughly enjoyed the striped socks.. we had many disadvantaged people coming to the Harris community center at this holiday season and we welcomed them with Christmas food ,candy and clothing . Your socks were a hit and we will welcome many more to come our way . I personally enjoyed your recommendation of the Kindle Christmas story and adorable chocolate tree. your latest wisdom will be shared at my next Volunteer meeting. Thank you for adding to the Mustard Seed Op Shop’s ambiance! Fondly, Shelley Brunson
on January 2, 2017 at 9:52 am Jane @ Shady Baker

Happy New Year Celia x
on January 2, 2017 at 8:25 pm Anne Wheaton

Wise words from a wise old bird! Looking forward to sharing the joys of life here on FJ&LC in 2017. Happy New Year Celia. Anne x
on January 2, 2017 at 8:56 pm Eva Taylor

I wish the same for you dear Celia. XOXO
- on January 5, 2017 at 12:39 am davidhorcher
  
  I love you.
on January 3, 2017 at 1:32 am gourmetmarichef

Wise words!
on January 3, 2017 at 10:26 am Siobhan

Ah Celia now I see…you are more Austen whereas I am much more Bronte.
Happy New Year to you my friend xxx
on January 3, 2017 at 3:54 pm ChgoJohn

Wishing you and your Men, Celia, nothing but peace, happiness, and good health in the New Year.
on January 3, 2017 at 4:48 pm Johanna GGG

happy new year Celia – love all the little victories – may you have many in 2017
on January 4, 2017 at 12:08 am themateriallady

Very wise Celia. I was once told that it takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown so I try to make sure I do (yes, I’m that lazy). Some time later I heard that if you smile when you are down you can start to feel happier. Win win situation ;)
Best wishes to you and yours for 2017
on January 5, 2017 at 4:37 am Laurie Graves

I know exactly what you mean. In the U.S. right now, many of us have the jitters. Anyway, happy New Year to you and yours!
on January 6, 2017 at 3:41 am Fictionally Free

Happy New Year to you as well, Celia!
In a season of trial after trial, I am just beginning to fully appreciate the power, and indeed beauty, behind exactly what you describe here.
Keep writing, friend. Word by word, we’ll inspire the world… if not ourselves.
on January 11, 2017 at 9:46 am Gretchen

You are an inspiration. I too try to get at least an hour of me time, to sit back and enjoy life. It makes the crazy times easier to handle. Here’s to this year being a good one for you and your family.
on January 14, 2017 at 8:55 pm Kim

Belated happy returns to you & yours Celia. Thanks again for all the inspiration. 🥖🧀🍑🍾🍷🥂🍴