A Long Way To Go

“The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year.

It is that we should have a new soul.”
- G.K. Chesterton -

My insatiable thirst for humour, knowledge and fascinating stories has me traveling around the internet from one place to another quite often. I gather information the way a squirrel gathers nuts; pouncing from one location to another, sniffing around, hoping to dig up something interesting. Then I store it for future reference, and at times for sharing with you.

Some of my online time is spent visiting my favourite blogs, which is always the most enjoyable part of my journey. Many of those blogs belong to individuals that I’ve become quite fond of over time; individuals that I consider friends. Cyber friends, if you may, but still, friends. And who knows... Perhaps I’ll get lucky some day and meet some more of you in person, the way I did with Jane this past summer.

But not all my web adventures are pleasant. Just like I land on sites that offer stories, videos and images that make me smile or laugh out loud, I also land on sites with stories or posts that upset me, frustrate me, anger me, and at times, put me in tears. I suppose I could avoid these depressing places altogether and go about enjoying a carefree journey, but pretending bad things don’t exist in this world doesn’t mean they don’t. So I stay. And read. And learn. And sigh. And realize once again how far humanity has to go before peace, tolerance, equality, understanding, empathy, respect, generosity, kindness and compassion are not just words that we simply pay lip service to. Year after year. Decade after decade. And century after century.

My faith in humanity is shattered repeatedly, but before it reaches rock bottom, acts of kindness surface to the top that convince me that there is hope in our species. That somehow decency, compassion and generosity will prevail. If we want it to. If we are persistent. If we strive to make it happen. Slowly, perhaps, but surely.

Tomorrow, the world begins again. Tomorrow, we are given a clean slate. Tomorrow is a new opportunity to make it the best year yet. For all. Let’s not just hope or dream of a better world. Let’s make it one. Together. Side by side. Hand in hand. I know we can do it. I believe we can. Yes, we have a long way to go, but every step in the right direction will lead us to that better place.

For everyone around the world, I hope and pray for the end of all our world’s troubles - war, famine, violence, poverty, slavery, drought, prejudice, terrorism, crime, oppression, disease, pollution, illiteracy, religious strife – and anything else that needs healing.

And to all of you, my friends, I wish peace, love, joy, prosperity, and most of all, good health. May 2013 bring these blessings into your lives, and into the lives of those you love.

Happy New Year!