Today marks the beginning of a new chapter. It gives us the chance to take a look at the world and most importantly, our lives, with a fresh beginning. The New Year is a symbol of renewal. All of us should take a second to clear our thoughts and refocus our energy on the positives that come with a sense of renewal. Go outside, take a deep breath and look at your surroundings. It doesn’t matter you are doing or where you are going, just take it all in. As we transition from 2015 to 2016, let us reflect on the here and now. Enjoy it. Breathe in that vast sky above us. Feel the gentle breeze pass by. It is the simple things in life that we need to cherish.
Entering 2016, make sure to keep moving forward, facing your challenges head on. However, don’t forget all of your accomplishments in getting to this point. You may have had a long, stormy journey that caused all sorts of bumps or you may have had a fairly quiet journey. At the end of the day, whichever road you took, take a second to appreciate and say, “I made it through that.” You did, and this is your opportunity to continue this journey with a renewed spirit.
The past is behind us now and yesterday is simply a memory. As you tackle this new day, this New Year, remember that each day comes with new strength and thoughts. This year is bound to have its turbulence, but it is up to you to meet those challenges head on with positivity and resolve. You are finding peace and shaping your future. We hope that you are filled with the hope and strength necessary to keep pushing and make your dreams a reality. And if you need help, ask. We’re all in this journey together.
Happy New Year!
Our Stories, Your Legacy
Words from the Authors:
Andrew Phommavongsay:
2015 was definitely a year of change for me. Started the year off getting into a tough situation. Seemed like a lot was happening in a small period of time, with all those changes to the environment around me I had lost sight of myself and who I was. Lucky enough, I was able to leave and put my life on pause and get away. Those two months I was allowed me to come back and see life in a new lens and made the end goal a lot more clear. Even currently, my situation isn't where I want it to be. Nor do I speculate it getting any easier. One piece of advice I'd give to anyone is, no matter the situation, no matter the circumstances, you have to tell yourself you'll get through it. Nothing is going to be perfect, once you've learned to accept it and make the most of what you have. Then you'll truly be leaving and making progress.
Tyler Pederson:
As I look back over the past year, there were definitely great accomplishments, but also those tough challenges. Sometimes the journey is easier than expected, while other times it’s clouded by fog. You just have to have the patience and resilience to get through those clouded times, because eventually, everything will become clear. Cheers to 2015 and the beginning of 2016. It should be filled with more accomplishments and challenges, but this time, we’re excited to have you along for the journey.
Steven Souriyadeth:
Remember each year is not about reinventing, but of reinforcing the foundation already built. The trials and tribulations, the mistakes and outcomes, and the pains and growth, to name a few. I have found that I wanted more, and asked too much of myself. It's a belief that I know I can one day reach all of my goals, I just have to understand that old adage still holds true: keep going at it one step at a time. I keep telling myself for this New Year, just like the past year and the ones before it, remember don't get ahead of yourself, you made it this far, so continue to keep your head up, and in strength and faith, you will enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Zvon Casanova:
2015 was a roller coaster for me. It was a ride where I experienced new things that I seldom loathed as those things came with adversity. From spring to late fall of 2015, I kept telling myself “this has been a terrible year for me and I just want it to be over already”, but at hindsight, it was a great year as I have learned a lot from what I experienced, the bad experiences especially. In a nutshell, I realized we have the power to turn a bad experience into a good one. How? By learning from it. When we learn something valuable from the bad, we have gained something good in the process. What we learn can be used as a tool to help build a better and stronger version of ourselves.