New Year's Reflection

On some such night as this she remembered promising to herself to live as brave and noble a life as any heroine she ever read or heard of in romance, a life sans peur et sans reproche; it had seemed to her then that she had only to will, and such a life would be accomplished. And now she had learnt that not only to will, but also to pray, was a necessary condition in the truly heroic.
~Elizabeth Gaskell, North and South

Ever since I read this in North and South, I think of it each new year. 
And this is always the place I see in my mind's eye as I ponder it.
I'm not sure why...

For the place...it's probably because this particular spot on the Atlantic coast was very healing and inspiring to me.

As for the thought itself...surely it has something to do with the reflection I go through the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.  It is my most favorite week of the year.  I think of all I meant to accomplish, all I did accomplish and all I have yet to accomplish. 
(That sounds like an Article of Faith - say maybe the 9th or 13th ! :)

It also reminds me of the lofty ideas I aspire to as I read and collect my books each year.  My pages are colored and referenced with all the learning I am so good intentioned to apply.

Lastly, it may be that I am reminded that any task of improvement, no matter how strong the will or heroic the desire, must be accomplished through prayerful dedication.

Whatever the reason, it is my New Year's mantra.

Happy New Year and welcome 2012.