Gratitude Monday --Time to Reflect

This is a quiet week, perhaps the quietest of the year, and for that I am grateful.
Nothing much happens in my local world during the last week of the year and that's fine with me.
Back in my reporting days it was almost too quiet. We still had a newspaper to fill though reviewing the year went a long way.
The down side of fresh news is the kind of thing that it might be. No one wants that at any time, least of all during the festive season.
I tend to find this slow time a good time to reflect on what has happened, to think about the possibilities in the future, and to remind myself that my life is good even during those moments when I am convinced otherwise.
Reflection is good. It reminds me of where I've been, what I've done, and what I can do about it if I so choose.
I am glad for the time to think no matter what it brings.

Oooohh, Canada

Another federal election is behind us.
Let's take a quiet moment and reflect on what we've done.
Have we turned a corner, or simply gone 'round the bend?

ETA: We've got another Conservative minority, but a fatter one than last time. Harper has 144 seats, but needed 155 for a majority.
Conservatives have to bamboozle, seduce, and/or browbeat only nine other MPs in order to have their way with us.
We really haven't turned any corners, but neither have we gone around any bends.
It's business as usual until Harper smells more blood and figures out a way to dissolve the government and have another election before his four-year due date.

Gratitude Monday - Sunset And Reflection

I am middle-aged and happy for it. The sun has set on the opening third of life and the gathering dusk has brought an inner quiet needed for deep reflection.
Like any other sunset it’ll be followed by the sunrise of a new day. We forget that sometimes.
I’m grateful I remember it and that I look forward to every day. We can dread the sunrise or welcome it.
I welcome it.