Now that the New Year is rolling around, the phrase "New Year, New Me" will be said like wildfire. While there are always ways that we can always improve ourselves, I am comfortable with who I am and do not really see a need for drastic change during this new year. I do not see the value in making unrealistic new year's resolutions to myself that I know I will be unable to uphold. During 2017, I will focus on self love and practicing showing love towards others.

Learning to love myself, and showing love to others around me is not a new year's resolution because it is something that decent human beings should strive for every day. New Year's resolutions are often fads that fade out as the year progresses, but learning to be kind to everyone you encounter should be practiced daily.

The world around us is filed with hatred and I refuse to sit around waiting for a change to come. This year, I have decided to become the change that I want to see in the world. This will be a slow learning and growing process that is not possible overnight. Becoming more self aware, and aware of the problems and hardships others are facing will lead to more empathetic decisions and actions. A simple smile, or a "thank you" said after someone holds a door open for you can make a lasting impact on those around you.

In a world full of critics, with their critiques and criticisms, we have to have the strength and courage to stand up for ourselves and love ourselves. There is no perfect person, so why do we constantly spend time criticizing others for their actions and decisions that they make? When we judge a person, we are taking away our ability to love that person. We cast judgments on others in order to make ourselves feel better and to hide our own insecurities. Instead, we should embrace our flaws and quirks! They are the very qualities that make us unique.

Children are not born racist, sexist, judgmental, or hateful. They are taught these behaviors by the people around them as they are growing and developing. This new year, I am striving to be more "childlike", meaning less judgmental and more loving and accepting of both myself and others around me!

My wish for 2017 is a decrease in violence, hate crimes, and injustices going on in our world. My wish is for myself and others to treat each other as you would want to be treated. I hope that by my small actions of love towards others, that others may learn to show love as well. 2017 is a year of growing, maturing, and learning to love myself and others.