Teen girls, it’s new year’s eve … so what are your plans? Will you gather with friends at someone’s house, attend a party, or pop buttery popcorn and wait for the ball to drop in Times Square?
Whatever you choose it is important to remember to always pause and reflect. To take time to be grateful for all that you have around you – friends, family, the opportunity to go to school (yes I said opportunity because in many countries this is not a given), and your health. Acknowledge your abilities and strengths in sports, the arts, music, writing, foreign languages, technology or the many other areas that make you special. And be grateful. While life is full of ups and downs, you need to remember that you are here for a reason. Also remember that part of your time should be spent in determining the reason, because if you do, in time, when you are my age, the world will be yours.
In the meantime, take a moment to read this poem and share your New Year’s thoughts and plans with other teen girls. Happy New Year!
One moment, One Year
One moment
One year
Reflection
Foresight
Looking
for change
Seeking
to change
Hoping
and
Becoming
what we said we would be
at this time
on many past new year’s eves
Each eve on December thirty-one
the clock will strike twelve
with or without you
Where you want to be
Where you hoped to be
Where you said you would be
You play
Catch up or
sometimes temporarily
fall back
Start over
Accepting
Losses
Mistakes
Missed opportunities
Grasping for
Hope
Progress
Health
the the ever transitory and
elusive state of happiness
Yearning
for that which society
deems you
Lack
Need
to be whole
All the while
striving for that which
you know
is worthy
essential
Begetting want
Forsaking traditional
You move forward
to the light
to your life
as it was intended
Dusting off the old
Welcoming the new
and you can begin to love you
for you
Letting go of others greed
Stepping back
Moving forward
Pausing to breathe
and finally welcoming
this rare gift
of a new year
on this eve