It’s hard to imagine but 2011 is finally over. It’s difficult to think of a year with so many things that happened around the world, both good and bad.
On the world stage we saw the incredible devastation in Japan from the earthquake and tsunami; we saw the end of Usama Bin Laden, Qaddafi and Kim Jong-il while we witnessed the whole of the Arab spring. We saw the world financial markets attempt to deal with Greece, Italy, Spain and more with limited success.
At home we have seen what happens when people become entrenched in their views and forget the big picture. We have seen the result of those that pander to special interests and forget they represent all of us from both sides of the aisle. We seem to continue to redefine the term, underwater and we saw protests in our streets and parks that went way beyond simple civil discourse.
We have seen the best in those that have stepped in to help others here and around the world. We watched a new generation’s version of a Royal wedding in all its pomp and circumstance. We celebrated the new faces of those that entered our world and remember those that we lost with a heavy heart.
We watched an amazing World Series… so good that we didn’t really care who won. We saw a football season full of surprises and a golf champion that was not a household name. We also turned away from professional basketball and got caught up in the college game, a game with more spirit, sportsmanship and class.
We all took our lumps at one time or another but we learned something each and every day. We learned our lessons from this past year so now we can look ahead to the future.
So be gone 2011 and let us turn the page on the opportunities that 2012 will bring. Let’s not collectively dwell on the things that made 2011 a challenge but let’s embrace a new start, with a sense of purpose and an abundance of enthusiasm.
So here is to all of you, may 2012 be the beginning of something incredible!
Happy New Year!
More later in 2012
