Good Bye 2010.. Hello 2011

Looking back on the months gone by,
As a new year starts and an old one ends..

Another year, another chance
To start our lives anew..

Here’s to the year
that’s already past its expiration date—2010.
We all had some surprises, didn’t we?
Some good, some distressing.
Let’s use everything we got from our experiences,
everything we learned,
to enrich the new year.

Here’s to the new year - 2011,
a gift we had just opened.
May its bright, shiny package
contain even more than we hope for.

And even while we’re delighting in new treasures,
let’s appreciate fully what we already have—
the blessings we take for granted.
Make a list, and check it twice.

……………………………………………………………………

Dear Allah,

In the new year, I pray
that You will guide me each new day
in paths that are pleasing to You.

The new year gives me another chance
to rededicate my lives to You,
to study Your Word
so that I know right from wrong
and to act in accordance with Your commands.

Each year I resolve with the strongest intent
To be better this year than the last.

And I work very hard; the rules hardly get bent,
But this discipline gets old so fast!

So I hope this year will make a different.

I’m not going to have yet another blowout;
I’ll be good as I know I can be.

But, if wicked things beckon, and I’m not so strong,
If I weaken and fall,
I’ll be thankful again, that You’ll help me along
As You have during all new years past..