Ring Out the Old, Ring in the New! (or, How I Felt Friday Night)

/ Marcia

It’s good to remember that we aren’t the first folks trying to speak to the hearts, minds, and souls of others. Some of the truest words ever consigned to paper came long before our arrival on the scene. I think Alfred Lord Tennyson’s words above prove that quite eloquently, especially for the demise of 2021. As he says in his classic poem, “let him go.”  (Full poem below.)

Now it’s time to look forward to what we can accomplish in 2022. Who can we touch with our writing? And how can we make this brand new year better for our families, our friends, our neighbors, and ourselves? Small things can make huge differences in the lives of others, as well as in our own lives, and we have the power to accomplish them. 

Personally, I want to strive to be the best I can be at whatever I’m tackling at any given time. From writing the next Great American Novel to cleaning the bathtub, I’m going to aim to do my very best. And the moment I  wake up each morning, I’m going to remind myself how lucky I am to have another chance to do everything better.

Good plan, huh? But just thinking about it won’t “get ‘er done,” as we say around here. I know I’ll have days now and then when I don’t meet my goals, but ONE day is just that: a day, out of a week, out of a month, out of the year. A bad day doesn’t mean I’ve failed and should just give up on my goals.

So that’s basically where I am today, my friends. I’m back now, and I’ll gradually be getting all my regular blogging features back up and running. And I hope some of you are thinking about being guests on The Write Stuff this year. I’m eager to help you promote your books, and I know many of you will reciprocate when you can. This writing/blogging community of ours is filled with generous souls who support each other, and I’m so blessed to be a small part of it. Whaddya say we make this year a wonderful one for writing, publishing, and sharing with each other? 

I believe in US!!

Happy New Year, and Gloriously Happy Writing!

In Memoriam, [Ring out, wild bells]

Alfred Lord Tennyson – 1809-1892

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
   The flying cloud, the frosty light:
   The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
   Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
   The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind
   For those that here we see no more;
   Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
   And ancient forms of party strife;
   Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
   The faithless coldness of the times;
   Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
   The civic slander and the spite;
   Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
   Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
   Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
   The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
   Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

38 thoughts on “Ring Out the Old, Ring in the New! (or, How I Felt Friday Night)”

  1. What a fantastic, uplifting, inspiring post, Marcia! I thoroughly loved this, and intend to join you in your commitment. I always try to maintain a positive attitude no matter the circumstances. Sometimes that’s difficult and I fail, but I do try to get back on tack as quickly as possible and strive to meet goals I’ve set. It’s been a rough two years for all with this %#@&!* virus, but I still believe in better days to come. Happy New Year, my friend!

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    • Thank you so much, Mae. I’m glad you enjoyed my musings, and I love that you are joining me in a commitment to maintain our positive attitudes, and to not beat ourselves up when we have a bad day, or don’t meet our goals. You’re probably better at getting back on track than I’ve been, but I’m working on it, and plan to improve this year. I believe in better days ahead, too. Happy 2022 right back atcha! 🤗💖🤗

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    • I’ll drink (my Earl Grey, of course) to your first line here, Jeanne. Striving is a good thing! And I’ve always liked Tennyson, too. This poem really speaks to me, and I’m more than happy to let 2021 GO. 😁

      Here’s to 2022 and happier times ahead! ❤ 😊 ❤

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    • Thanks so much, Harmony. I’m glad you enjoyed the poetry, and I’m with you on not giving up, and continuing to plug away! Thanks for the lovely wishes, too. May you have a happier, healthy 2022, filled with blessings every day! 😊 ❤ 😊

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  4. Beautiful post, Marcia. You’ve warmed my heart, offered hope. Simply beautiful. And — Tennyson’s poem is exquisite. Thank you, dear friend. 💗🤗💗

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    • You’re very welcome, Gwen! I’m so glad you were touched by the post and the poem. Tennyson wrote some amazing things, and this is a favorite of mine, too. Here’s to good health and good cheer in 2022! May you be blessed with peace, love, and joy, sweet friend! ❤ 🤗 ❤ (back atcha!)

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    • Thanks, Sue, and I’m sending you a big heap of good wishes for a happy and healthy year, filled with peace, love, and … well, how about LOTS of book sales? (That’d sure make ME smile!) Happy 2022!
      ❤ 🤗 ❤

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  6. ALT’s poem is perfect. Thanks for that and for this wonderful optimistic post. Yes, we will all do our best. I am forever grateful for this wonderful blogging community that has helped us through these tough times. As they say, “Tough times don’t last, tough people, do.” Look forward to seeing you around.

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    • I thought the poem fit this post and this last year pretty well. Glad you agreed, Darlene, and that you felt the sincere optimism I intended. And a hundred times yes to this “wonderful blogging community” as you describe it. Let us be happy but TOUGH in order to survive with our spirits and creativity intact! And you’ll be seeing more and more of me as the days go by, I’m sure. I’ve never been away from blogging this long before, so I’m eager to get back.

      Happy 2022, Darlene! ❤ 😊 ❤

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    • It sure felt right to me, Joan, for the post and for the year gone by. I’m happy to “let him go,” and ready for whatever 2022 will bring. (Hopefully, a bit less sturm und drang!) Wishing you all the best, too, my friend! Happy 2022, and HUGS back atcha! ❤ 🤗 ❤

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    • Thanks, John. I wish I could say I got a ton of writing done, but it didn’t turn out quite that way. I DID get a whole bunch of other much-needed stuff done, though, so at least it’s not hanging over my head any longer. And I made an executive decision about my writing, too. Will do a post on that soon. Maybe tomorrow, if I’m done packing away Christmas stuff.

      Happy 2022, my friend! 😊

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  14. There used to be comedy sketches about ‘Come into the garden Maud’ and I’m afraid to say that I ignored Tennyson as a consequence. This poem has rocked me back on my heels. Excellent choice, Marcia, and I’m on board with you and Tennyson with your sentiments.
    I love this post and feel energised to do something positive with my day! (Forgive me if I show no enthusiasm for cleaning the bathtub!) xx

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Bathtub, schmathtub! It can wait. (But I know when you tackle it, you’ll do a great job! 😁) And thank you for your kind words about this post. I’m so glad it inspired you, and that you were rocked back on your heels by Tennyson’s poem. There’s a reason we remember these wordsmiths from the days of yore. Their work stands the test of time, and can stir us to this day.

      I hope your day is going as planned, and you are feeling a sense of accomplishment, no matter the task. And I also hope this year is a happier, healthier, and EASIER one for all of us. Happy 2022 to you, my friend from the land of missing vowels! *giggling, here* Oh, and while I’m at it, thanks for your friendship and all your support and encouragement, too! 🤗💖🤗

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  16. Congrats on setting your new year up Marsh. Our intentions are always good. We just have to learn how to not beat ourselves up when we don’t accomplish some days. Optimism is in the air! 🙂 xx

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    • “Optimism is in the air.” Yeah, because if we sniff one more snootful of pessimism and misery, we’ll probably croak! We NEEEEED the fresh air of happy thoughts, creative inspiration, and good health! Definitely what I’ll be working on this year! 😀 ❤

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  17. I loved the poem and post, Marcia! My goal is always to be a better version of me today than I was yesterday. This way, I kindly embrace my flaws but constantly work on bettering myself. I’m looking forward to your posts this year, and my blog is always yours when you need to promote one of your books. 🙂

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    • So glad you enjoyed the post and poem, Yvette. Sorry I’m a bit late in responding. I’m trying to put away the Christmas decorations here at the House of 1,000 Santas! 🙄 We will face this new year, whatever it brings, hoping for the best, but dealing with it all, regardless. And thanks for the offer to help me promote my writing along the way. (I’m currently working on a Wake-Robin Ridge spinoff novella, entitled Cole, Cole, & Dupree, so I hope I’ll soon have something new to introduce to the world.

      Happy 2022, my friend! 😀 ❤

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    • Thank you so much, Teri! I’m glad you enjoyed the post, and I’m wishing you all good things for 2022, as well! Let’s see what we can make of the next twelve months. Here’s hoping for joy, peace, good health, and much renewed creativity! Happy New Year, right back atcha! 😀 ❤

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