On Beginning in a New Year

As I was preparing for this post on beginnings, it occurred to me that over the centuries, even millennia, much thought has gone into the topic. It appears that beginning, or beginning again, are things that humans have struggled with since, well, the beginning. I decided to rely on the voices of a few of the many people who have mulled over beginning through the years:

The hour is ripe, and yonder lies the way!
– Virgil

The important thing is somehow to begin.
– Henry Moore

So what do we do? Anything. Something. So long as we just don’t sit there. If we screw it up, start over. Try something else. If we wait until we’ve satisfied all the uncertainties, it may be too late.
–      Lee Iacocca

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.
– Chinese proverb

Do not wait for ideal circumstances, nor the best opportunities; they will never come.
– Janet Erskine Stuart

He who has begun has half done.Dare to be wise; begin.
– Horace

And just for fun, because starting something doesn't have to all be serious, and because I can't resist a good fishing poem: 

This one makes a net, 

this one stands and wishes.

Would you like to make a bet 

which one gets the fishes?

– Chinese Rhyme

Let’s begin. Let’s keep going. And if need be, let’s start over. And let's have fun while we're doing it! Blessings and good wishes to you wherever you are on your journey at the start of this New Year.

~~~~~

A similar version of this essay was posted on Smack Dab Blog on 2.14.2014.