Recipe for a New Year

Take twelve whole months.
Clean them thoroughly of all
bitterness, hate, and jealousy.
Make them fresh and clean as possible.


Now cut each month into twenty-eight,
thirty or thirty-one different parts,
but don't make the whole batch at once.

Prepare it one day at a time
out of these ingredients.
Mix well into each day
one part of faith,
one part of patience,
one part of courage,
and one part of work.
Add to each day
one part of hope,
faithfulness, generosity,
meditation, and one good deed.


Season the whole with a dash of good spirits,
a sprinkle of fun, a pinch of play,
and a cupful of good humor.


Pour all of this into a vessel of love.
Cook thoroughly over radiant joy,
garnish with a smile,
and serve with quietness,
unselfishness,
and cheerfulness.