As we approach the long weekend, 2017 begins.
A new year invites us to contemplate what has transpired and what lies ahead.
The poet Alfred Lord Tennyson captured this sentiment:
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Yet we might frame the question differently: “Where have we been? And where are we going?”
This second formulation asks us to glimpse the future, something inherently unknowable. While we can attempt to forecast what awaits us and prepare our plans accordingly, life’s unpredictability frequently disrupts even our most carefully considered intentions.
The first question, meanwhile, presents its own challenges. Responding to it demands introspection and self-awareness—qualities that our fast-paced society does not readily supply. We struggle to complete our daily obligations, much less pause to examine the reasoning behind our actions.
What we can tell our readers is that welcoming the New Year responsibly means prioritizing safety for ourselves and those around us.
While many of us now take precautions against impaired driving on New Year’s Eve—through designated drivers, rideshare services, or hotel stays—some still choose to drive while intoxicated. The most meaningful step we can take individually is to protect our friends and family from becoming tomorrow’s tragic headlines by confiscating their keys or providing transportation if they appear unable to drive safely.
We extend our wishes to all our readers—our neighbors and friends—for a happy, healthy, and safe New Year.