On Beginning - January Theme by Tamera Wissinger and Guests


As I was preparing for this month’s 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.


~~~~~

Tamera Wissinger is a poet and author and is almost always beginning something (or starting again). She is the author of GONE FISHING: A Novel in Verse and THIS OLD BAND, 06/14. You can find Tamera online at tamerawillwissinger.com, on Twitter or on Facebook 

Bibliography: Cook, John, compiled and arranged. THE BOOK OF POSITIVE QUOTATIONS. Minneapolis: Fairview Press, 1993.

Comments

  1. I was going to let you know which of the quotes was my fave, but in all honesty, I can't decide. Might be a tie between Iacocca & Stuart.

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    1. Yes, I like both of those, too. Narrowing from the vast choices for this was tough,

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  2. I think it's time to start makin' me a net! Thanks for these words of inspiration.

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    1. Ha, yes, let's crochet our nets! Glad you enjoyed the post.

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  3. I love this post. It reminds me that every time we sit down to write it's a new beginning.Thanks Tamara

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    1. Thanks, Darlene. Glad you enjoyed. You're right, each day is a fresh start.

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  4. You inspired me to get started on a revision that's been hanging over me for a while. Thank you for the words of wisdom!

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    1. Oh, Tracy, that's wonderful; best wishes to you on tackling your revision!

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  5. Such an inspiring collection of quotes. Thanks, Tamera! My favorite, Holly, is Iacocca!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed, Naomi. Yes, Iacocca's quote gets to the heart of the matter, doesn't it?

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