As we embark on a new year, through whatever this year may bring, I choose to look for opportunities to do good. In a world where everyone seems to have an opinion, and so many opinions are embraced as fact, I would hope that we as individuals would want to embrace truth and justice, and to stand up for our neighbor and assume the best intentions of each other. I have challenged myself, and invite you to join me, in examining what we consume as fact and be willing to hear both sides to find the nuggets of truth and commonality to unite us. It causes me to reflect back on a song we sang in my high school choir, which will no doubt date me, with the words…”United we stand, divided we fall, and if our back should ever be against the wall, we’ll stand together, together you and I.” What unites us is the love of humanity and the love for all people in our community. That truly is a choice each of us can make, to intentionally look for the good and lend a helping hand where we can. As we each do our part in building trust and love for our neighbor regardless of their social, economic, racial, or political status, when we get to the core, I would hope that what we all want to see is compassion and respect and love for each other. Reach out your hand and you will see our community as a place where we can find security in the care of each other, and a community that truly will work for all. May you be safe and my very best to you in 2021.

Beautiful frosty Wisconsin River photo by Tim Habeck.