It’s time to make our New Years resolutions…again! I know I need motivation and inspiration to make my resolutions list and then to follow through with my New Years resolutions long enough for them to become a new habit. The New Years poems below are inspirational poems written to help us realize the new year offers hope and promise, to motivate us to seek that which we desire to achieve.

Behaviorists tell us it takes two weeks of consistently practicing a new behavior before it becomes a new habit. For myself, I find it better to make a list of 12 New Years resolutions – one for each month. That way, I have only one resolution to work on at a time. I keep the list flexible, just in case one month’s resolution isn’t successful. I can try it again the next month if I choose to or try the next one instead.  My 12-month New Years resolution list gives me goals throughout the year keeping me focused on what’s important for me. The 12 inspirational poems can be read over and over to help keep me motivated. I know I can always change it if I need to so I’m not too tough on myself along the way. As with most New Years resolutions, some are successful…and some not. With 12 to work towards, hopefully I’ll have one achieved by next January 1!

Inspirational New Years Poems

Here are 12 inspirational poems (one for each month if you’d like) to help motivate you (and me) to achieve this year’s New Years resolutions:

Poem 1:  LITTLE NEW YEAR POEM

The New Year lies before you
Like a spotless tract of snow
Be careful how you tread on it
For every mark will show.

~ Author Unknown ~

Poem 2:  RECIPE FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR

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

Now cut each month into twenty-eight, thirty, or
thirty-one different parts,
but don’t make up 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, and kindness.
Blend with one part prayer, one part 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.
You’re bound to have a happy new year.

~ Author Unknown ~

Poem 3:  THE UNKNOWN FUTURE

Life is a book in volumes three–
The past, the present, and the yet-to-be.
The past is written and laid away,
The present we’re writing every day,
And the last and best of volumes three
Is locked from sight — God keeps the key.

~ Author Unknown ~

Poem 4:  NEW YEAR

At the sound of the tolling midnight bell
a brand new year will begin.
Let’s raise our hopes in a confidant toast,
to the promise it ushers in.

May your battles be few, your pleasure many,
your wishes and dreams fulfilled.
May your confidence stand in the face of loss
and give you the strength to rebuild.

May peace of heart fill all your days
may serenity grace your soul.
May tranquil moments bless your life
and keep your spirit whole.

~ Author Unknown ~

Poem 5:  HAPPY NEW YEARS TO YOU

A new year is beginning to peak through
softly beautiful and different like new falling snow,
each day unique and shaped just for you.
Your life adding something as each day does grow.
My wish for your new year is beauty
and softness with surprises thrown in for delight.
Love for each day bringing happiness to you,
making your life a scene of sparkle and shining sunlight.

~ Author Unknown ~

Poem 6:  LET THE NEW YEAR BE…

Let the new year be a year of freedom from sin,
a year of service, a year of trust in God,
and it will be a happy year from first to last.
It may be the hardest year we have known,
but it will be the happiest.

~ By J. M. Buckley ~

Poem 7:  NEW YEAR

To leave the old with a burst of song;
To recall the right and forgive the wrong;
To forget the things that bind you fast
To the vain regrets of the year that’s past;
To have the strength to let go your hold
Of the not worth while of the days grown old;
To dare go forth with a purpose true,
To the unknown task of the year that’s new;
To help your brother along the road,
To do his work and lift his load;
To add your gift to the world’s good cheer,
Is to have and to give a Happy New Year.

~ Author Unknown ~

Poem 8:  SAILING INTO THE NEW YEAR

God built and launched this year for you;
Upon the bridge you stand;
It’s your ship, aye, your own ship,
And you are in command.
Just what the twelve months’ trip will do
Rests wholly, solely, friend, with you.

Your logbook kept from day to day
My friend, what will it show?
Have you on your appointed way
Made progress, yes or no?
The log will tell, like guiding star,
The sort of captain that you are.

For weal or woe this year is yours;
Your ship is on life’s sea
You acts, as captain, must decide
Whichever it shall be;
So now in starting on your trip,
Ask God to help you sail your ship.

~ Author Unknown ~

Poem 9:  HAPPY NEW YEAR

If it didn’t bring you joy
just leave it behind
Let’s ring in the new year
with good things in mind

Let every bad memory
that brought heartache and pain
And let’s turn a new leaf
with the smell of new rain

Let’s forget past mistakes
making amends for this year
Sending you these greetings
to bring you hope and cheer
Happy New Year!

~ Author Unknown ~

Poem 10:  MY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

I will not throw the cat out the window
Or put a frog in my sister’s bed
I will not tie my brother’s shoelaces together
Nor jump from the roof of Dad’s shed
I shall remember my aunt’s next birthday
And tidy my room once a week
I’ll not moan at Mum’s cooking (Ugh! fish fingers again!)
Nor give her any more of my cheek.
I will not pick my nose if I can help it
I shall fold up my clothes, comb my hair,
I will say please and thank you (even when I don’t mean it)
And never spit or shout or even swear.
I shall write each day in my diary
Try my hardest to be helpful at school
I shall help old ladies cross roads (even if they don’t want to)
And when others are rude I’ll stay cool.
I’ll go to bed with the owls and be up with the larks
And close every door behind me
I shall squeeze from the bottom of every toothpaste tube
And stay where trouble can’t find me.
I shall start again, turn over a new leaf,
leave my bad old ways forever
shall I start them this year, or next year
shall I sometime, or …..?

~ Robert Fisher ~

Poem 11:  A NEW YEAR’S PLEA

Lord, let me stand in the thick of the fight,
Let me bear what I must without whining;
Grant me the wisdom to do what is right,
Though a thousand false beacons are shining.

Let me be true as the steel of a blade,
Make me bigger than skillful or clever;
Teach me to cling to my best, unafraid,
And harken to false gospels, never.

Let me be brave when the burden is great,
Faithful when wounded by sorrow;
Teach me, when troubled, with patience to wait
The better and brighter to-morrow.

Spare me from hatred and envy and shame,
Open my eyes to life’s beauty;
Let not the glitter of fortune or fame
Blind me to what is my duty.

Let me be true to myself to the end,
Let me stand to my task without whining;
Let me be right as a man, as a friend,

Though a thousand false beacons are shining.

~ Edgar Guest ~

Poem 12:  THE UNKNOWN

I do not know what still awaits,
Or what the morrow brings;
But with the glad salute of faith,
I hail its open wings!

For this I know — that in my Lord
Shall all my needs be met;
And I can trust the heart of him
Who has not failed me yet..

~ Author Unknown ~