2016 was a really weird year for everyone and I think it's safe to say there are things we would all like to leave behind us or change. The tense and heated climate during the election left bridges burned and sides taken. As turbulent as the year of 2016 was we are all facing uncharted territory in the new year ahead of us. Feelings varying from confusion and annoyance to terror and despair are sweeping the nation. It's hard to remain hopeful while looking ahead but no one wants to step backward either. It's traditional to make resolutions when ringing in a new year and I have a few suggestions for all of us. This year polarized us and brought out an ugly side of our political system that we weren't prepared for. The passion, outrage, and grief weren't misplaced, this was a personal election for a lot of us and it was hard to stick to our beliefs while staying calm because of the society-altering ideas being discussed on either side. This was a turning point for us. I think the division that happened this year is understandable and we all learned from it. I think our new goal should be focusing on restoring unity and learning to live with each other again and to help us do that I propose some resolutions we can all attempt.

I think an excellent theme for 2017 could be respect and understanding. We aren't all going to agree, that's what makes our country amazing. Diversity has molded our society and that shouldn't be changed anytime soon. However, we can pick our battles. Show kindness by listening and at least trying to understand perspectives different from your own. As I said earlier this year has harped on a lot of personal stuff for all of us but not everything needs to turn into an argument. Try and understand, you might learn something. Represent your side of things with intelligence and facts rather than name calling and yelling. It might be that you never come to see each others perspective but at least you handled things with respect and class, the very grounds for compromise.

While respect and understanding are so very important in our current tense climate, hate cannot be tolerated. Earlier I mentioned picking your battles, this is a battle worth picking. Now more than ever we have to stand by one another. Being different feels like a target on your back right now and it can be truly terrifying. Minority groups are facing intense scrutiny and it feels like we are regressing. We have got to have each others' back and have no tolerance for intolerance. The damage is done and choices were made, but now we have to help each other through it. We can continue to grow as a country now that we can see our underlying problems more clearly and isn't that what new years resolutions are about? As we get closer to ringing in the new year reflect on 2016 and consider what we need as a country to recover. Consider adding these resolutions along side your personal ones. 2016 was a weird year but we can choose to make 2017 a better one.