Happy New Year and welcome to 2024!
".....this is a time for reflection on activities of the past, and for resolution pertaining to the future." [Russell M. Nelson, speaking at Brigham Young University on 7 January 1990]
The end of one year and the beginning of another seems to motivate many of us to rethink our priorities, our goals, and/or our objectives.
The last several years were full of hard times for many as the economy faltered and careers were ended. And, of course, the Covid-19 Pandemic which isn't over yet! However, some took the lemons and made lemonade.
New businesses, many online, were formed. People understood the importance of charity more than ever.
Social media exploded and we saw first-hand disturbing world events. Who can forget watching the death of Neda via cellphone video? Did that experience help raise our consciousness of what was happening in the world? Or did we shrug our shoulders thinking her death didn't concern us? Or did we do something positive that day for someone? What about the following days?
As social media continues to grow in popularity, are we reaching out to those who are different from us? In our own country as well as other countries? As we have become more and more involved with strangers via social media, are we becoming more and more understanding of the differences between us?
What about people closer to us? People we know in our every day lives. Co-workers. Friends. Family members. Can we accept having differences with those close to us?
How can we promote world peace while not accepting a parent, sibling, spouse, or child who doesn't live up to our expectations?
Do we live up to the expectations of others?
Can we look at others with whom we disagree on most matters and find good things in them as well?
Will we become "kinder and gentler" to others in 2024?
Will we be more generous to those who have less?
Will we make our part of the world a little nicer?
Will we reach out to others? Smile a little more often at strangers?
We can all make a positive difference however small.
Something as simple as volunteering to read to a child can make a big difference.
Not only to the child but to ourselves. Serving others is uplifting!
Again..............................
Happy New Year!
Now let's go see what we can accomplish before 2025!
