An Open Letter to 2016 | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

An Open Letter to 2016

Thank you for the experiences.

17
An Open Letter to 2016
The Huffington Post

Dear 2016,

Goodbye. I am sorry that so many people are happy to see you leave. It seems that everyone is blaming you, the year, for their unfortunate troubles and mistakes. Everything that happened was not your fault, I promise.

Yes, many people were taken during your time, including many celebrities who were lost too soon. Some of them died from illnesses and from old age, but others died from their own addictions. A year should not be blamed for the results of people abusing drugs and alcohol. A year also should not be blamed for it being someone's time to go. It is good to mourn, but we should look to the future instead of dwelling on the past.

Yes, many people made mistakes during your time that caused others to suffer. We remember the shootings and murders. We remember the people who were attacked for their beliefs and ways of life. However, we should not blame the year. Instead, we need to find a solution as a society. Together, we need to learn acceptance to get rid of the animosity within our world. 2016, our conflicts between us are not your fault. Hatred is a trait of human beings, not of a year.

Thank you for giving us trials that taught us life lessons that we will each carry with us for the rest of our lives. With every bad experience that we faced, we learned from it and became stronger individuals. Those trials taught us love, willpower, virtues, kindness, and determination. Thank you for making us struggle, because we would not appreciate the sunshine without a little rain.

As I said 2016, you were not a horrible year. Thank you for the beautiful experiences and smiles that you bestowed upon us. Thank you for the wonderful inventions and new minds that came into creation. Yes, many bad things have happened, but we also encountered many triumphs that brought us together. We are all appreciative for that.

I am sorry that mankind blames you for its misfortunes instead of being grateful for the time that is has on this earth. 2016, you are just another year that is part of time. Time is a privilege, and we should all be glad that we got to experience you instead of hating you. Thank you for being you, 2016. I appreciate you, even with your flaws.

Sincerely,

Jasmine Kelley

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

1032447
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

948264
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

The Importance Of Being A Good Person

An open letter to the good-hearted people.

1325703
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments