It is a new year, and I'm pretty sure everyone has welcomed it with open arms and hearts. It seems like 2016 was difficult one for everyone, and it sure was a stressful one for me. This year, I have had to overcome many obstacles that I didn't forsee at the beginning. We have lived through the most stressful presidential election, the passing of many beloved celebrities, and a large escalation of violence in the world. Now that we have made it through 2016, we can reflect on our mistakes and heartbreaks throughout the year and learn what to change for 2017.

A new year resolution is typically someone saying,"New year, new me!" in an effort to lose weight or eat better, or maybe just to change who they are in some way, shape, or form. Usually these efforts end a couple of weeks (or maybe even earlier) into the year. It is very difficult to follow through with some resolutions, and I can attest to that. While losing weight and eating better is on my list of changes I'd like to make this year, I have even more unconventional resolutions I want to achieve.

I want my 2017 to be a journey of discovery in music.You can tell a lot about someone by their playlist, and listening to it usually results in you becoming a better friend or just a better person in general. I want that. I want to be the best friend I can be to everyone. This doesn't just apply to me, though. Ask your friends what their favorite song is, and REALLY listen to it. You may find out something new about them. This can also be a doorway to broaden your horizon on different genres and styles of music. You could find your new favorite song in the process! I also want to work on doing better in my music studies. 2016 was a horrible year of academics for me. 2016 reminded me why procrastination is bad and that I certainly could use some better time organization skills.

I want to be a better friend, and a better person in general. I have always prided myself on being reliable and being trustworthy and there for all of my friends and people around me, but I have lost that somewhere among the rubble of last year. I want to get that back so I can be the best friend I can be for the people who deserve it the most.

One day of 2017 is already over, and I don't feel very different now, but I can guarantee that I will eventually. I am going to take this year by the horns and show it who's boss. It will be a year full of great music, amazing friends, hard work, and good times. As we go through this year together, I wish you all the best during this new year. I hope your year will end up as great as mine is going to be. Remember, your year is what you make it, and whether it is amazing is up to you. Don't let it go bad. Make it amazing.