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By Chris Quilpa

 

From my family to yours, happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous new year to y’all!

Welcome 2025 with faith, hope, gratitude and optimism, and a new zest for life. 2024 is past and gone, though memories of it are still fresh and still linger on for a while.

It takes time to forget or let go of the past memorable and historic events and happenings, especially when TV networks and print media do the year 2024 in review. And that’s okay. That’s alright, because a flashback of experiences can play a role in shaping our new perspectives of life in/for the future.

Like it or not, we have to move on and focus on the present moment which is now, and our future! We resolve to become better, healthier, and wiser in our decision-making that impacts our life. 

On the other hand, we have to do what we can to (help) make a difference in others’ lives. After all, we live for one another. We’re one big human family, sharing each other’s joys and pains, gifts and talents, faith and dreams. We have to help protect and preserve our environment from further degradation and over development. We have to be good stewards of the earth’s resources for future generations.

Resolve to have faith that your life and world will be better. Believe that your health and economic condition will improve, that changes and challenges will be overcome with grace and certainty.

Be grateful that you’re alive and well, living or trying to live your life with freedom and liberty. Thank God for having caring, loving and thoughtful family and friends, and neighbors who are helpful and understanding. 

Amidst a beautiful yet imperfect world, be optimistic or look at the brighter side of life. And protect and love life, our precious gift from Above. Do your best to be well and healthy, and make adjustments with your lifestyle, if necessary. Be real and humble, and hopeful that everything will turn out just fine. Believe, pray and trust more in the Almighty God. Do something good to benefit others of your goodness and benevolence. A simple act of love, like listening, smiling, visiting, is all it takes to change others and the world. 

Every day holds the promise of a new beginning. Hence, a new year 2025 can mean a new life, a new beginning, a fresh start at life, with a positive attitude to make our life-world better.

As we welcome 2025 with gratitude and optimism, faith and hope, and Love, we pray, “May God bless and keep us safe from harm always!” Amen.

 

-Chris A. Quilpa, a retired U.S. Navy veteran, lives in Suffolk and Chesapeake. Email him at chris.a.quilpa@gmail.com.