Happy New Year!

Just last week I was wishing each of you a Happy Christmas and now I've gone and blinked and a New Year is on us already!

I'm hoping this year will be a great one full of health, happiness, and love!

I practice the art of nengajō for New Year. Nengajō is the Japanese tradition of sending out cards to family members and friends wishing them health and happiness for the New Year. I'm not a crafty person by any means but each year a few days before New Year's I take to making my own cards to wish all my friends and family a very Happy New Year! I think it's a great tradition and I've been doing it for as long as I can remember since being introduced to it by one of my best friends who lives in Japan. Of course you can just send a card you purchased but I do love making my way to different shops in China Town to locate pretty stationary, stickers, and bits to make the cards with! It's quite fun! This isn't something that's normally done here in the States. New Year's greetings are done in person, on the phone, or in passing with a simple "Happy New Year" that's uttered quickly. Of course I take the time out to say Happy New Year but it's a nice little surprise to get a card in the mail wishing a person well for the New Year!

Well...anyway the moral of the story is I think we sometimes forget in the rush of Christmas to remember how important the New Year is. It's a fresh start. A time for new beginnings. A time to remind ourselves of the things that are truly important in life. To remind our friends and our family how much we love and appreciate them.

Christmas and pressies are lovely but I hope you all remember how important the New Year is too!

Many Wishes for a Happy, Healthy New Year that's filled with new beginnings! Adventures are to be had! Take full advantage of life because my dear, dear friends it's far to short to spend it with a frown on your face ;)

Sincerely,
-Your Muse (for this year and hopefully many more to come!)