It is finally that time again, where we finally get to put all this year’s run-ins and struggles away and start anew for the new year. I think we can all admit that 2016 was a rough year, for the entire world as a whole changed. What can we do, as society, to make 2017 a better year than 2016?
1.) Love
I cannot emphasize this word enough for the new year. There has been so much prejudice and hatred thrown around for countless events and things this year. There was the Brock Turner case, the election, police brutality; even hate against Kim Kardashian and her weight. Really media? To stop all the negativity in this world and around ourselves; can we just show love? Love yourself, love your neighbor, love your classmate and coworker, love the people you don’t even know. The other day, I had to pass a toll on my way to my internship. One of the lanes I always went in was closed so I had to squeeze my car in between the long line forming on the highway. A kind old man let me through, and I waved him off, thanking him. What I did in return was actually pay his toll for letting me through. It was a three dollars well spent, and it felt really good. Love is contagious and it needs to be spread.
2.) Responsibility
Branching off love, included in the hate is the distribution of blaming and wrongful responsibility. For example, when Donald Trump was elected president, everyone opposed to him pointed blame at others who agreed with some of Trump’s radical opinions from the beginning of the campaign. Some of the people who voted for Trump were actually people who simply believed in his plans for making the U.S better economically. If you are reading this and believe Trump will not be a good president (I don’t know honestly, we’ll just have to see.) then you must take responsibility and try to make even the area around you a better place socially. Something as little as that is a responsibility that easy to take, can easily be distributed in all the just ways, and will have a big pay off in the end.
3.) Community
Love and Responsibility can be enacted within an individual, but can be spread throughout as a community. Remember that you’re never alone, and that they are many who support you in whatever you believe in and millions waiting to get to know you and support you as well. Think of it like this: It feels pretty nice to pick up after someone who missed the garbage can versus a whole town getting together for picking up litter in the town park. I threw an event at school for my sorority, where I had many people gather to educate the campus about cultural awareness and diversity in and out of school. Usually we’d only expect sisters to come to the events, but we had more than 100 students come out and say their opinions on the subject, shedding light on many sensitive topics. It was a great to come together as a campus and really share and make aware of the differences between us, and realize we needed to come together at such a desperate time. Plus, we even got to do a mannequin challenge. It can’t get anymore lit than that!
4.) You
It seems to be human nature nowadays to simply live to please. We get good grades to please our parents. We give gifts to please our friends. We get into the job industry to please society. I think it’s time to be a bit selfish and do things we want to do for ourselves. There are always needs in this world; we do need to go to school and get a degree in order to live our lives as stress free as possible. But what about that spa treatment you’ve always wanted? Or that road trip you’ve dreamed of? Sometimes, we need to choose ourselves in order to feel mentally and internally satisfied. If it’s something you really want, grab it. Take some time out of your day to buy a book you’ve been wanting to read. Take that bath to help relieve your stress instead of going out with your friends. Try out for The Voice if you believe you’ve got the talent. (One of my personal goals as well.) It’s okay to choose yourself for the upcoming year. Remember you only got you in the end.
Don’t let the happenings of 2016 get you down and predict what 2017 has in store for you. Be the light of your own life and others as well. Make 2017 a year we can call feel sad to leave behind as 2018 rolls around. Make it awesome! Happy New Year!
