share post

Sweet Escape: Reflections

by | Dec 29, 2007 | Authentic Living, Inspired Living, Sweet Escape

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy here

Sweet Escape: Reflections

Can you believe it? 2007 is coming to a close. I’ve really enjoyed my little blogging break (my sweet escape this week!) to reflect on my life, recharge my batteries, rev up my enthusiasm and get myself inspired for the new year. It is amazing to me what a little R&R can do! I hope you have all had some time to reflect in silence over the holidays! If not, shut off your computer and take some time for yourself right now! Alone time! Quiet time will do wonders for you, and it is not too late.

For some of us, 2007 was a great year. For others, 2007 had its challenges. But for all of us, 2008 offers hope. Hope that this year will be better in some way. We’ll laugh more, love more, care more, get organized, look better, feel better, worry less, eat better, exercise more, weigh less, be more productive while doing less. And our homes will be the nurturing places we desire them to be. Phew, I could go on but I am exhausted already! Just kidding, I love the idea of New Years Resolutions but not the pressure. My solution? I don’t make a big list of unattainable expectations. I look back at my life last year, desiring to slowly build upon my successes and learn from my failures so that the new year holds promise of great reward. Baby steps, but forward motion.

 

Sweet Escape: Reflections

Here is to a new year of inspiration in creating the life we want to live! That is my goal in blogging. I look forward to sharing the journey with all of you! Each of you are a great source of encouragement and inspiration to me and so many others!

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.–Mark Twain

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. –Henry David Thoreau

To succeed you need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you–Tony Dorsett

Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm. –Winston Churchill

Success is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well. –John Rohn

“There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: Those who are afraid to try themselves, and those who are afraid that you will succeed.” –Ray Goforth

Sweet Escape: Reflections

images from Decorative Country Living

39 Comments

  1. Joni Webb

    Melissa – thanks for your sweet comment – as always! Such an inspiring piece you’ve written today = hence your name – so apropos. It’s been a fun ride since we met over your “magazine cover itis” – I still love that word.

    Have a happy, healthy and prosperous New Years!!!

    Joni

    Reply
  2. Rachael

    Lovely quotes Melissa, Happy New Year to you and yours:) Rachael

    Reply
  3. Ruth Welter

    Hi Melissa, I love your post today. I believe that life is what we make of it for the most part. Some things, are totally out of our control, but I believe most things in our lives, we have control over and can chart our own course.

    Reply
  4. Alison Gibbs

    Great post Melisssa. Love the quote by Henry David Thoreau – “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”
    Alison

    Reply
  5. Vee

    Love a post loaded with optimistic thoughts about the future! Have a wonderful New Year!

    Reply
  6. Things that Inspire

    What a beautiful post to end the year with! I love the message, the quotes, the images.

    I am doing a year end post today, and you are mentioned! Please check my blog later. You have been a great inspiration to me this year, and I thank you!

    Reply
  7. Nan

    Here’s to 2008!
    Nan

    Reply
  8. brilliant asylum

    Merry Christmas Melissa! Inspiring quotes for a great 2008!

    Reply
  9. katiedid

    Hello Melissa!
    Thank you for your lovely comment! I wish all good things for you this New Year. I love your post and look forward to reading your blog as often as possible. You are an inspiration to me. Always upbeat and kind, and funny too! I love your quotes, and will be returning to write them down for a note on my bulletin board. I especially like the one by Ray Goforth. Do you think that is a real name? If not, I love it anyway. “GO FORTH!”

    Reply
  10. Jenn and Jacqui

    Hi Melissa, fabulous post to wake up to (even if it is 10.30am, shh, don’t tell anyone l!!) You are always inspiring in so many many ways and we thank you for all you have done in 2007 to make the blogging world a wonderful place! Love the Mark Twain, that is just perfect! Happy New Year to you and your loved ones and of course from our two H and Miss P to Winston :) Jenn and Jacqui xo

    Reply
  11. naturegirl

    Beautiful reflections here in both words and images!
    Wishing you a bright Happy New Year filled with peace love and blessings!

    Reply
  12. Carol

    Melissa, thanks for the nice comments on my blog.This is my first time to visit you. I’ll be back! What an inspiring post you have today! Excellent observations and insight!
    Carol
    http://ourreddoor.blogspot.com

    Reply
  13. Rhoda

    Hear, hear, Melissa! I’m with you, girl…ready to face a new Year & excited about the possibilities. Great post & you have a wonderful way of expressing yourself.

    xo,
    Rhoda

    Reply
  14. Erin

    Very well said and I agree 100%!! Beautiful pictures too.

    I’m glad you had a good Christmas and your Cranberry Bliss post sounded oh so cozy!!

    Happy New Year to you and your family and many blessings are wished for you in 2008!!

    Hugs,
    Erin

    Reply
  15. sandra

    Gorgeous!
    Happy New Year!
    Sandra Evertson

    Reply
  16. Penny, Mosaic Artist

    What a wonderful post! I look forward to 2008, knowing that it is filled with possibilities!
    Hugs,
    Penny

    Reply
  17. Kathleen Grace

    So good to see another post! I too, try to just take baby steps all through the year, big resolutions can be too daunting! We are all a work in progress, not just in January but all the time:>) Happy New Year to you Melissa, may God bless you and your efforts!

    Reply
  18. patricia gray

    What great inspirational quotes you have shared. Wishing all your dreams to come true in 2008!!

    Reply
  19. laissezfaire

    Hey Mel, really inspired by your last post. I am really so happy to have gotten to know you through blogging and wished I knew you in person! Have a wonderful break and will see you in blogland in the new year! xxxxoxoxoxSu Ling. http://www.laissezfairedesign.blogspot.com

    Reply
  20. Elzie

    Oh Melissa! 20 years from now it feels I will be very old, bah! The years are running faster and faster and not that I want to become older but I do hope that 2007 will be gone soon cause it has been a boring year. Hopefully 2008 will become much better both for me and people I know.
    I want to wish you a Happy New Year and hopefully we can “get together” in the new year as well.
    Lots of love Elzie

    Reply
  21. vintagedelights

    Those mirrors could have me reflecting in them for along while. They are too pretty.

    Melissa , I have loved reading your blog in 07′, it’s been filled with such creativity and inspiration, Thank You.! I wish you a Happy New Year to come filled with much more creativity and laughter. Cheers to 08′

    xoxo :) Adla

    Reply
  22. Alexandra

    Lovely reflective quotes to match the lovely mirrored images.
    Alexandra

    Reply
  23. JO

    As always Melissa… you leave us with provoking thoughts to start our day… love these quotes… may you have a wonderful NEW YEAR and may ALL your dreams come true

    HUGS

    JO

    Reply
  24. Catherine

    Thanks for the inspiration! Have a wonderful New Year!

    Reply
  25. Mari-Nanci

    Such beautiful photos! I especially love the first one, with the little faerie lights around the white frame.

    I wish you and yours, a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

    Hugs,
    Mari-Nanci

    Reply
  26. mary

    Buon Anno 2008 !!!!!!!!!! Ciao Mary

    Reply
  27. Kat

    Hi Melissa

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving your sweet comment. I hope you’ll come again…you’re always welcome.

    I’ve enjoyed my visit here to your beautiful blog. Wow…lots to see and learn. I’ll be back again when I can take more time and visit your archives. Fun.

    Hugs!
    Kat

    Reply
  28. Karen H.

    Good Afternoon Melissa,
    “THANKS” for stopping by. I do believe you stopped by before. I love the decorations of the mirrors you showed. Are those from your home? They sure are beautiful. I would like to get me a big mirror to put above my buffet. I think it would look good above the buffet and make the room look brighter as well. I’m not much of a decorator myself. Hopefully I can learn some things from here. I used to make New Year’s resolutions years ago, but quit making them because I wouldn’t keep them. I just do my best and what I can each and every New Year. If you don’t mind, do you care if I add you to my blogroll? I love meeting and getting aquainted with new people. I am sure looking forward to getting the new camera. I hope to be able to share and show some better pictures in the coming year. Take care my friend and have a great Sunday. May God Bless You and Yours. Just in case you don’t post anymore before the New Year, “HAPPY NEW YEAR” to you and yours from our Family. May 2008 be a great year for everyone.

    Hugs,
    Karen H.

    Reply
  29. Polly

    I’m so glad that we’ve come to be friends this year! You and I see through a similar lens but, thankfully, God has given us different focus. You inspire me. Blessings… Polly

    Reply
  30. Frivolitea

    Hello! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am glad to have discovered yours. It is lovely. And thank you for the inspiration and inspirational quotes in this post. All the best for the new year.

    Reply
  31. Paris Parfait

    A lovely, inspiring post for the new year. Hoping 2008 brings you much joy. xo

    Reply
  32. the feathered nest

    Hey Melissa, I’m glad you’re feeling re-charged afer a blogging break – me too! It’s good to step away every now and then.

    The New Year always fills me with hope and excitement. Anything seems possible!

    I wish you a wonderful, creative, inspired, happy, healthy & blessed New Year!

    xo,

    Manuela

    Reply
  33. Terri Steffes

    Mirrors… what an interesting photo for your reflection post!!

    I love coming here and being inspired by you. I think you will see how much you have inspired me in the months to come!

    Happy New Year!

    Reply
  34. All Things Bright and Beautiful

    Miss Melissa – yet another lovely post! :-) I like the mirrors idea for reflections :-) I’m so glad you’re back blogging!!

    Have a great new year filled with love friends and God’s blessing :-)

    Reply
  35. Lisa

    Delightful post and such pretty mirrors too. All the best for a fantastic new year. Looking forward to lots of visiting.

    Reply
  36. anne

    What delightful reading. I love the photos as well…Where did you get the heart card holder in the top picture..Love it.

    Reply
  37. Anna Spiro

    Thank you for this inspiring, beautiful post!
    XO
    Anna

    Reply
  38. {this is glamorous}

    Beautiful sentiments and images (especially the top one!). I’m with you on keeping the resoultions to attainable ones! Thanks so much for all your lovely comments on my site and for being such a great friend, Melissa!

    xo

    Reply
  39. A Fanciful Twist

    What a gorgeous goregous post!!!!! Happy new Year!! xoxoxo

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

Decor Finds:

browse categories:

browse archives:

let’s stay connected!

Follow for daily
Home Inspiration:

get my free decorating guide

home decor inspiration, free downloads,
and more, straight to your inbox

css.php