The year 2016 has been an interesting one, to say the least. From a slew of celebrity deaths to an unprecedented election, and much more, 2016 will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the strangest, most tumultuous, and most unpredictable years in the modern era. That said, at the end of every year it's wise to look through all the negativity and take away some positive lessons to carry with us as resolutions for the next year to come. As crazy as it was, 2016 is no exception to this wisdom.
We lost many of our favorite stars this year. Some of them were people we felt like we grew up with: Alan Rickman, beloved for his role as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series, died of cancer at age 69; David Bowie also died of cancer at age 69; Alan Thicke, father of musician Robin Thicke and best known for his role as Jason Seaver on Growing Pains, is now lost to us; and most recently Carrie Fisher, otherwise known as Princess Leia, and her mother Debbie Reynolds, known and loved for a great variety of roles. These are only a few of the many. These losses are painful and serve as uncomfortable reminders of our own mortality, but they also remind us to appreciate the loved ones in our own lives, as they can be taken away at a moment's notice.
The 2016 elections have also taught us many things. Chief among them is that love indeed trumps hate: nearly three million more people voted for Clinton over Trump, a clear rejection of bigotry, fear-mongering, and divisiveness. But Clinton's loss despite the popular vote lead reminds us to never forget the suffering of those less fortunate than ourselves, to never take for granted the working backbone of our country, and to always strive to include them as we seek to improve the lives of all Americans and not just our own. Perhaps most importantly, we've also learned to never stop fighting. We've learned that progress is earned and not merely given. The forward steps we've made in recent years came about not inherently but as a result of years of protest and activism. Now more than ever we must remember to fight for what we know is right.
It's also important to learn from world events. Over the course of 2016, the crisis in Syria, particularly in Aleppo, has continued to worsen. Millions of refugees have had to flee their homes, and hundreds of thousands of people - including children - have been killed because of war. This is indeed a reminder of the horrors that war can bring, and should serve to strengthen our resolve to avoid war as best we can. But it also serves to teach us the importance of love, tolerance, and hospitality. When people are in need we must open our arms, not close off our hearts.
These are just some of the lessons that can be taken away from 2016. Appreciation for our loved ones, empathy for others, fighting for what is right, peace, and tolerance. We should carry these things forward into 2017 as our New Year's resolutions, and we must make sure we act on them. If we do these things, I am confident that 2017 will be a year to remember: for positive reasons, not negative ones. Let us all have an amazing new year!
