By Tim Richards
As we begin 2023, most of us are looking for ways to gain fresh perspective. Perhaps some of you read the recent Reader’s Digest, article entitled, 75 New Year’s Quotes That Will Inspire a Fresh Start to the Year. Below are several quotes including one not listed in the article.
In front of each quote place the letter of the person who you think made it:
A. Benjamin Franklin, founding father, B. Simone Biles, Olympic gymnast, C. Cheryl Crow, musician, D. Moses, Bible hero, E. C. S. Lewis, author, F. Dwayne Wade, basketball player, G. Michael J. Fox, actor, H. J. P. Morgan, financier, I. Gayle King, journalist, J. Lauren Graham, actress, K. Pablo Picasso, artist, L. Joaquin Phoenix, actor.
____ “You have those moments where you reflect and say, ‘No matter what I’m going through at the moment, you know what? Life ain’t bad.’”
____ “I think the more unexpected something is, the more there is to learn from it.”
____ “You never go wrong when you take the high road—it’s less crowded up there.”
____ “Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.”
____ “If you just keep putting one foot in front of the other, fantastical things can happen.”
____ “We’re at our best when we support each other. Not when we cancel each other out for our past mistakes but when we help each other to grow.”
____ “There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
____ “The ‘success’ parts of life look good to others, but the best parts are actually the simple, daily experiences. This is true whether you’re an actor or a teacher or a waitress. I know because I’ve been all three.”
____ “I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all.”
____ “The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.”
____ “Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each year find you a better man.”
____ “Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.”
Some quotes made me smile, others encouraged me, but all of them made me think. The final quote, however, is probably the most appropriate to begin a new year. It is only as I realize my earthly days are limited that I develop the wisdom needed to live well. Ironically, this is also the oldest quote, coming from Psalm 90:12, HCSB.
The quote from the psalm should prompt all of us to make every day count. If you live 2023 with this wisdom you will likely be more satisfied with your life at the end of the year. (Answers, in order from the first quote to the last; F, G, I, K, C, L, E, J, B, H, A, D.)
Tim Richards, author of “Thriving in the Storm: Discovering God’s Peace and Perspective in Turbulent Times,” grew up in rural Southeast Missouri and graduated from the Moody Bible Institute in downtown Chicago. During four decades as a pastor he has served five churches, three in rural Missouri and two in St. Louis. He may be reached by email at iamtimrichards@yahoo.com.
