“As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives”. – Henry David Thoreau
As 2016 draws to a close, it is time to reflect on where I’ve been and where I’ve yet to go. It always comes as a surprise that the year has moved along so quickly. Time seems to flow faster and faster each and every year. It astounds me.
As my children grow older I realize that the years they have left at home are less than those difficult exhausting years behind us when each day felt like an eternity. Now when I look back with nostalgic eyes, I wonder where the days of diapers, meltdowns and sweet moments of kisses and cuddles all went. I miss those days yet I didn’t have a lot of time for myself.
Now it is time to plan for the path ahead. The words of poet Mary Oliver sing inside my head, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Those words both inspire and haunt me as I find myself at a crossroads a bit unsure of which direction I want to take. Will it come to me before it is too late? Before I settle in to the comforts of life? Let’s hope so. I don’t ever want to look back with regrets of the path not taken.
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail”. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Every every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley”.- Theodore Roethke
Happy New Year!
Thanks for the lovely photos and wise words, and thanks for all you do for others. I wish you and your family the best in the year to come!
Thank you so much Marilyn! Happy New Year!
Glad I found your blog this year, I have really enjoyed it. One morning you will wake up and your pathway will be waiting! Enjoy each moment now to the fullest, those little ones will be gone before you know it!
Thank you so much! Yes that is the scary part. Love having my kids around!
I am 73, and can relate to what you are saying. My challenge seems to be the same even though I have been retired from work for 6 years and retired from active parenting for almost 30 years.
I can see how it is a lifelong quest Pat! Happy New Year!
Hey! Nicole it’s true that days are running fast! Wishing you a happy 2017.
Too fast! Happy New Year!!!
Amazing pictures!
Thank you!
Those early childhood years are lovely and they pass too quickly. I took home a baby once, now he is a 6 foot 4 inch man. These years are good too.
Wow sounds like where my son is heading as he is quite tall for 12. Do you have any grandkids yet?
No, I have no grandchildren. My son is 43 and showing no signs of fatherhood…pity.
You’ll know what to do. Just be gentle with yourself until it reveals itself. Exquisite photos Nicole. Wishing you and your family all the best for the new year.
Alison
Oh thank you Alison! Happy New Year to you and Don! What is on the agenda for 2017?
Mexico/Guatemala/Cuba until Mar 1st, then Vancouver for 2 months, then Spain/Portugal and either some eastern European countries or north African countries until the end of Sept, then 3 month back in Vancouver. That’s the plan anyway but it can change in a heartbeat. You have any travels planned?
Wow that sounds wonderful Alison! You will have so much fun and lots of wonderful stories to share. I’m going to Costa Rica next week and then we are going as a family to a different part at the end of March. Should be fun!
Oh CR is on our list too! (But not next week lol)
It was WONDERFUL Alison! I LOVED Costa Rica. Got back late last night. More soon. I have tons of tips for you if you go.
Thought provoking and true. Our paths are before us. Some are lighted and some are obscure, or dark; some are wide and some are narrow. Our personal emotions sometimes guide us toward a particular path but we must be aware our emotions don’t always guide us to the correct path. It’s an occurrence many times a day don’t you think? Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful words of wisdom! Thank you so much. So true and yes I agree that many times a day we have a choice what path to take.
Oh, I forgot to mention – great photos. Happy, safe and rewarding new year!
Thank you so much! Happy New Year to you as well!
Happy New Year with all its possible paths, Nicole! I went down a few dead-end ones myself this past year (and in previous years), but there are always new ones that branch off and beckon.
Love these words of wisdom Lexi! Happy New Year! 😌
Wonderful Nicole. Happy New Year 🙂
Thank you Andrew! Just got back from an amazing time in Costa Rica. Now lots of catching up to do! Happy New Year!
Look forward to reading about your trip.
Thanks Andrew! It will be a slow process as I have so much to catch up on and I want to do a good job! Stay tuned!
Happy New Year Nicole! Very much looking forward to following your adventures in 2017!
Thanks Sue! Just got back from Costa Rica. Now that is a trip for you! I can’t wait to start writing about it. It was one of the best adventures in a very long time. Amazing!
You, my lovely and dear WP friend, are living your destiny every day of your life. I would think that for you, it’s not ‘what will I do in the future?’ but deciding which of the many things possible you will put first, and which ones for ‘later..’ It is a wonderful ‘problem’ to have – a lovely polar opposite to those who have few interests or lack that intrepid gene…
May 2017 bring beautiful moments into your life!
(Stunning images, btw!)
Oh Lisa, thank you so much for the kind words. Sometimes life gets so busy that I forget. Just got back from a week in the Osa Peninsula in CR and all my dreams are back. It was amazing and just what I needed. Happy New Year!
I understand your thoughts in this post Nicole. It can certainly be daunting to reinvent yourself after all those amazing years with the best job in the world.
Things will come to you in their own good time. All the best to you and in the meantime, enjoy where you are now my friend. Xx from Di
And Happy New Year to you 💜
Oh thank you Di! Just got home at 1:30 am. Tired but an AMAZING Trip and I can’t wait to share it! Hope you are well!
The photos are beautiful, Nicole. 🙂 I’m having trouble looking too far into 2017. Plans can go awry. I do try just to enjoy the day but it doesn’t always work that way. Our son is 26 and we still find ourselves weaving our social life around him!
Very best wishes to you and the family for 2017! Keep doing what you’re doing and you won’t go far wrong. 🙂
Thanks Jo!
Beautiful photography!
Thank you so much!
You’re welcome!
Happy New Year Nicole! Wherever your plans take you, I’m sure there will some lucky folks who benefit from you along the way. I hope the upcoming year is filled with lots of love and adventure for you and your family.
Thanks LuAnn! Just got home at 1:30 am from Costa Rica. Can’t wait to share the trip with everyone. It was so amazing. I feel so refreshed! happy new year!
Looking forward to your posts Nicole!
Thank you LuAnn!
Stunning photo captures, Nicole! Happy 2017 to you and yours! 🙂
Thanks Amy! You too!
Thank you, for you words of kindness. This is something my wife and I go through daily. “Happy News years” God bless.
Thank you so much!
Hi Nicole, wishing you and your family joy, adventure and lots of laughter in 2017. xxx Ailsa
Thank you so much Ailsa! Happy New Year to you too!
Looks like you’ve found your path here today. I love the quotes. Love the photos. But that third shot—that’s a stunner!!! where is it? where are you?
happy new year, Nicole
Thanks! Those photos were all taken when I climbed Kilimanjaro two summers ago. Amazing. Happy New Year to you too!
Nicole, I can’t ever imagine you “settling” for anything other than a fabulous life – whatever that path may be. 🙂 James and I want to wish you a happy and healthy New Year filled with love and adventure. All the very best, Terri
Oh thanks Terri! So sweet of you! Happy New Year to you and James as well!
Somehow I feel certain you will find your way Nicole. You’ve already followed more paths than most people do in a lifetime! Happy New Year to you – enjoy the journey!
Thanks Tina! I appreciate your kind words! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year. Love reading your blog. 🙂
Thanks so much! SO glad you enjoyed it!
Beautiful photos. I really love the quote by Waldo it’s a good advise in life. I wish you a lovely new year full of unknown experiences. 🙂
Thank you so much Otto! 🙂
Happy new year Nicole. Beautiful photos and accompanying quotes. It is wonderful to have options and choice to make. And to finally have more time, once kids are older. Took me years just to feel rested and not tired all the time ( once the last one left home.)
Peta
Thanks for the encouragement. Yes it is hard raising a family but I’m trying to embrace every moment I can as it is going way too fast. Happy New Year Peta!
Wow, stunning photos! 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
Thank you for those words! I just needed to read that! Thanks!
You’re welcome! So glad it moved you!
Beautiful!!
Thank you!