12/19/2024
Our Special Wish of Hope & Peace for the New Year
As the holidays and New Year are literally upon us, I really do wish for “Peace on Earth.” It’s the oldest greeting out there and one that’s often said as a default. Like saying, “I’m fine, you?”
But as we enter 2025, I really do hope for peace, co-existence, patience, and kindness. I know that sounds cliché, but in today’s world, it’s anything but. We have wars around the globe, hostages in many countries, and shootings – both targeted and mass – against industry leaders, politicians, and sadly families and school children. There are clashes with nature, science, and religion. Yes, we are certainly in a tumultuous time, and that’s why a quote from the days of Dickens seems to fit very well here; “Peace on Earth.”
We can all contribute, whether it’s our own acts of kindness or just being patient and understanding with each other. It’s also about learning before reacting and hearing before forming opinions, holding ourselves and others accountable for unacceptable behaviors and words that create hate, violence, and negative disruption. I know this sounds like a panacea (with all the letters of “peace” found in the word) but I have to, want to, believe it’s doable.
This year will stir up strong emotions stemming from new leadership and campaign promises, not just here in the U.S. but throughout the world. Let’s react and act civilly and wisely. There are ways to protest and oppose, support and encourage without creating more chaos. Start with yourself and find peace within. Reach out to your family and extend to friends and your communities.
Maybe that Christmas and Hanukah start on the same day this year, an occurrence of about every one or two decades, is a sign that forces in the world can co-exist and find peace.
I really do wish for “Peace on Earth” this year. And I wish for health, safety and connectivity for all of us. Take care of yourself and be healthy. As best you can control it, stay out of harm’s way. And be connected to something. A faith, cause, group of friends and/or family. These are proven ways to find peace within, and if we all do it together, perhaps “Peace of Earth” is more than just a throwaway line; it’s a real outcome and difference that we can make in our world and our lives. I wish that for you, me, and those I hold dearest.
Peace on Earth,
Rob