This Year

Happy 2016 everyone! The other day I was listening to a song by J.J.Heller called ‘This Year’. The chorus goes,

“So long to last year, it’s all becoming so clear. There is no use living in regret.

Let’s fight a good fight. Train our eyes to find the light.

That makes this year the best one yet.

Starting right here, Happy New Year. Happy New Year.”

This started me thinking about New Year’s resolutions and how people continually try to make themselves better. It’s like we get a brand new start, and our mistakes from the past don’t matter anymore.

Now don’t get me wrong, this attitude is great. Devoting ourselves to be a better version of us is a really good way to approach the world from the beginning. But the question is, why don’t we act like this all year long? Does anyone remember their New Year’s Resolution from 2015? What about from 2014; or 2013, 2012 or 2011. Do you remember what you decided to be better at in 2010? If you do, then great! But chances are, you don’t.

Just like the Israelites, we are humans. We constantly forget the good things; and after a while, we go back to our regular, everyday routine of complaints. Shouldn’t we be looking for great opportunities to be better? Most people don’t stick to their resolutions and tend to forget what it was in the first place. There is a reason that you can’t remember 2010’s resolution.

But with hard work and devotion, it can be really easy to add ‘don’t be so easily offended’, ‘be kinder’, and ‘listen to others’ to our everyday lives.

As parents, students and yes… highschoolers, I challenge you all to be a better you. Don’t wait until 2017 to make your next resolution. Make it today. Turn your faults into your strengths. Live every day like it’s a chance to be someone new, because it is. I wish you all the best and a happy new year!