We’ve put away the wrapping paper and eaten the last of the holiday cookies. As of midnight, we’ve moved on to 2025.
As the new year loomed ahead of me, I have had some dread about it. But dread doesn’t do much, except make it a struggle to get out of bed in the morning.
Luckily, there’s always hope.
Sometimes my hope is undefinable and murky. I can’t put my finger on what exactly makes me hopeful. If I look around, there is lots of evidence that we care for and look out for one another. Folks volunteering to cook and serve food to the homeless. People coming together to help victims of natural disasters. Firefighters rescuing kittens from treetops.
Hope is more definable when I focus on the stories of people’s acts of generosity and to look for ways to make things a little better for others.
When all else fails in 2025, I plan to walk off my stress or escape into books.
Happy New Year! I wish you lifted spirits, good neighbors, loved ones to hug, and rescued kitten stories. Also, a few good walking trails near where you live and some good books in which to escape.
About the photo: A stack of books at Yale University’s Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library in New Haven, CT.
Lovely. Thank you, Dottie.
Thanks Kim. Happy New Year! Looking forward to seeing you in 2025!