Sunday, February 19, 2012

Keep Calm And Carry On

For the last few years I've toyed with the idea of adopting a "word for the year" as have so many of my friends and fellow bloggers.  However, I never seem to be able to find quite the right word  to symbolize my goals and aims for the year. This year I decided to abandon my quest for the perfect "word" and to go with a phrase instead. Here it is:



This poster  was originally created by the British government back in 1939 as part of the war effort. Two other similar posters (seen below) were created and released to boost wartime moral.

However, the "Keep Calm And Carry On" posters were held in reserve in case of an enemy occupation and were never released. Most of the copies were destroyed after the war. However, in the year 2000 one turned up in an old Northumberland book store. The poster was framed by the shopper, found instant fame, and was copied thousands of times. It has gained popularity on both sides of the Atlantic as a symbol of the stiff upper lip and determination the British showed during a time when war was on their doorstep.

The "Keep Calm And Carry On." slogan has been my unofficial motto over the last few years as my life has turned topsy turvy and upside down. Throughout it all I have tried my best to "Keep Calm And Carry On." Sometimes I've succeeded. Sometimes I haven't.

To be quite honest, there are days when this motto seems more symbolic of my feelings.



Fortunately, my British heritage usually seems to win out and I just "Keep Calm and Carry On." :)


2 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing the history behind these keep calm signs! I had no idea. I hope you are doing well. Miss you!

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  2. I should have that as my motto!! Suzanne

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