As we put a proverbial fork in 2021, we begin the annual practice of reflecting on what has been. I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect on the previous year. Hobbs students were able to return to in-person instruction in the spring of 2021. During the summer months we engaged in the largest summer programming in the history of Hobbs Schools. The fall brought about the beginning of a new school year with students in class with routines and activities as near normal pre-Covid, campuses were able to re-establish the climate and culture of their campuses that suffered due to Covid. While there are things that we all learned from in 2021, there are many things that brought us joy and will be remembered long after the crystal ball drops on the old year.
The month of January was named for the Roman god Janus, known as the protector of gates and doorways who symbolize beginnings and endings. With two faces, Janus has one looking into the past and the other with the ability to see into the future. What a fitting symbol as we wrap up 2021 and step into 2022. January is also the month where we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 17. Dr. King was committed to seeing change without violence. While change is easy, as long as it is happening to someone else, we all are constantly changing. Embracing the opportunity to change allows us each to be a better version of ourselves each day. The current state of our society can learn a lot from non-violent efforts and respectful dialogue with those that we disagree with. We all can commit to be a kinder person moving into the new year.
I challenge each of us to make a list of the things from 2021 that have shaped our current experiences. As we begin to look forward into 2022, we can take those events and experiences and inform our future plans. While making those plans, feel free to use the words of Dr. King “I Have A Dream…”. Dare to dream what 2022 can become and begin to put those dreams into action by planning milestones along the way. By planning those milestones, we can begin to put action in place each week or day to move us along the path of those dreams. All the while we are changing ourselves and ultimately changing the circumstances that surround us.
So I ask you, what is your dream for 2022? What will you begin doing to achieve that dream? When will you start?