No more focusing on the negative. No more letting outside factors that may or may not even directly affect us determine our self-imagined reality (look up “Thomas Theorem”). We each get to decide our own destiny to the fullest extent that anyone else in history has.
Alcoholics Anonymous adopted a prayer and (I think, not a member) is recited during every meeting. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” If you’re an Atheist/Agnostic, remove the first word. This little saying has helped me find some clarity in my life when strife has struck it, and I hope it does the same for you.
Obviously, the coming year will be filled with ups and downs, highlights and lowlights, great events and tragic events. It will be a roller coaster of emotions, happenings, and outcomes. My advice to you is to focus more on the good and less on the bad. Be an optimist more than a pessimist. Do more cheering than booing. Be pro something and not anti something. Learn from your mistakes, but don’t dwell on them. And, most importantly, never give up on your goal, no matter how dark the night gets or how grim the future looks.
You now have two choices: you can either read this and think of all the reasons I’m wrong, or you can read this and go forth with a great attitude. Choose wisely, and good luck in the coming year.