All actions, including yours, have consequences.

Regardless of your belief system and your faith or lack thereof, certain things are true. The universe exists. It did not always exist. The universe came into being as the result of the actions of some awesome, incomprehensible force. It's likely that force exists today. Time exists. Seasons come and seasons pass. There is darkness. There is light. There is truth. There is falsehood. There is good. There is evil. There is Justice. There is injustice. For every action there is a reaction. All actions, including yours, have consequences. You can choose to live in harmony with these truths, or you can deny them. Each and every day, each and every one of us, regardless of our circumstances, has a choice. We can squander our time fingering old welts, second guessing past decisions, and tormenting ourselves over the poor choices of others; or we can embrace a new day brimming with opportunities for doing justly, loving mercy, and building foundations for a bright new tomorrow. Time is precious. Choose wisely. SC

What do you see when you look ahead to 2025? I see the realization of the dreams and ideals of our youth, the remarkable advances made by a nation inspired by dreamers, united by song, and faithfully dedicated to liberty and justice for all.

I see a nation where women take their place at the helm, defend freedom, truth, and justice, and uphold the right to privacy for all.

For many of us who remember the 1950s, 60s, and ‘70s, our memories of those times are reflected in and rekindled by the music of that period. Much of that music had a common theme. People sang of a new day coming. Lyrics told of a future in which all people would be united in a peaceful recognition and acceptance of the fact that we are each different and unique. Popular songs encouraged love and tolerance and conjured up pictures of a time when peaceful coexistence would be the order of the day and all mankind would join in the common cause of freedom and justice for all; a time when mankind could be relied upon to assist those who needed assistance and value the best efforts of each and every individual who did their best, even when their very best fell short.

Over the decades, many have dedicated themselves to achieving the romanticized goals of our youth, the goals of liberty and justice, as contained in America’s historical documents, and the pursuit of goodness, grace and mercy in the eyes of God. Despite the polarization which plagues our nation today, much has been achieved.

I don't intend to go back. I believe 2025 will be the beginning of the realization of the dreams of our youth. We stand today at a crossroads, on the firm foundation those dedicated efforts produced. We live now in that new day foretold in our youth by dreamers, songwriters, and poets. Some would take us back to a dark, divided past, where ignorance and mistrust were the order of the day, and intolerance and bigotry were celebrated. For the rest of us, we see about us the realization of the dreams and ideals of our youth, the remarkable advances made by a nation inspired by dreamers, united by song, and faithfully dedicated to liberty and justice for all. For us, despite the many challenges we face, we celebrate achievements and boldly strive ahead.

SC