Here's to us ...

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right" ~ Oprah

And that's pretty much what's it all about I suppose ... doing things differently, better than we've done them in the past. Getting it more right than we did last time around.

I don't make resolutions and find myself smirking inside when others proclaim theirs. (Not that I think we shouldn't have goals mind you) But they say the more people you tell, the more you'll find yourself trying to stick to whatever resolution you've made to better yourself. In my experience, the more people you tell, the more people there are to see you fail. I hate to fail and I don't make resolutions.

I'm not saying there's no room for improvement in the Garden of Me. Believe me, there's plenty that could stand some tweaking. But I already exercise and eat healthy (mostly). I've cut back on my sugar intake, stopped smoking and I'm working on the patience thing. I imagine I could have fewer glasses of wine and maybe give my awful neighbor a break every now and then. But I'm not making resolutions. I'm just going to do better for myself, for my people. I'm going to be a better me.

I'm excited about this new year to come. I know that we as a nation have an uphill climb ahead of us, but we're going to have a new leader for this journey and that's exciting. Change is exciting. Progress and better-than-we've-been is exciting.

When we used to do Wilderness Trail ventures, the slogan on our shirts was "Be strong enough to carry your own burdens and be compassionate enough to help others carry theirs." That's where we're at right now, and that's just what we'll have to do to get through all the obstacles we are facing as a people.

And I really think we'll be better because of it. We'll be more human, more connected, more compassionate and more solid. Tough times can weave people together unlike anything else. Hardships, especially when they are so far reaching, make us realize that we are, in fact, made of the same fiber, share many of the same hopes and fears, and can hold each other up in order to soldier on to better times.

I wish you all a peaceful, kind and enlightening year to come ... may we all reach out, support and grow together t0 be a better us.

Happy New Year ... I'll see you on the other side.