What are your plans and dreams for the new year?

I do personally have a few wishes as we enter 2017.

In reality, the numbers we use to describe where we are on the great timeline of human existence is not very important to me. My wishes are more generalized hopes for the future. I suppose the changing number we will begin writing as the year just signifies a good point at which these changes could ideally begin coming to fruition.

I hope that this next year we all come together. After all that has happened this year, personally or on a national to international level, I think that all of us need to support one another. Further division will only hurt in the long run. All of our great differences should be set aside in order to reach some common ground and meet goals that nearly all of us share. I know that total unity is virtually impossible, but the stark contrast and harsh words thrown from all sides is frightening. I see it only as a way to make an undesirable situation worse. We are all only human. We all have flaws and we all make mistakes. A lot of mistakes. That is how we learn! Instead of constant criticism and anger, let us just recognize our differences without so much hatred. I truly hope that we can learn to be there for one another this year. A big dream, I know, but what makes it impossible? If you ask me, nothing!

Along the same lines, I also hope that this year we can focus on love over hate. Maybe this is saying the exact same thing, but there are beautiful things in the world and ugly things. Let us focus on the beauty, let us focus on building one another up. Love can be more powerful than hatred if we can just learn to use it the right way. Kill them with kindness, guys.

I also hope that all of us in general maintain our sense of curiosity. Or gain it, whatever the case may be. Staying curious opens so many doors to continue learning and growing. We simply cannot stagnate. How dangerous a world complacent, hard-headed, and unwilling to learn or listen people could make. Of course, you can have your opinions, beliefs, ideas, thoughts. But I implore you to keep listening and learning. Be curious. Look at the world and all of its wonders as if it is the first time you have seen it. Ask questions. So many questions! Do not be afraid to learn or try somethings too. Let us retain adventurous hearts and spirits as we venture out into the world!

My final wish at the current moment is that we stay creative as well. We are innovators and artists. We will change the world one way or another. Let us make the future a beautiful place. Let us paint on this great canvas and spread our lovely ideas far and wide. So much potential floats around in the air just waiting for us to jump up and grab it; the future yearns to be made into something grand. We will face many obstacles. It will not be easy. We will cry, scream, and probably complain way too much. But let's go create as we do these things. We can inspire and connect in an unlimited number of ways. Make your music, paint your pictures, take your photos. Collect those dazzling thoughts spinning above your head and throw them on the page into a story. Do whatever you need to do to let that creativity flow.

I am certain that I could think of more things I desire for the future. I am sure you can too. This means that we have all kinds of room to grow. For now, though, I will leave it at this.

Best wishes for the future, everyone. Let's do our best to make it something to be proud of. Cheers!