EDITORIAL

The new year has barely begun, and I find that I have already fallen short on one of my new year’s resolutions. Despite my pledge to reduce sugar intake, this morning I succumbed to the temptation of a mouth-watering chocolate chip cookie. When paired with a steaming cup of hot coffee, the cookie was simply delightful. After cleaning the drool from my jowls, the overwhelming sense of palate satisfaction was regretfully replaced with a sense of remorse and resolution failure. It was only after reflection that I realized that self-improvement is not a linear process, but rather a series of both successes and failures.

The fresh hope of each new year brings with it the optimistic promise of an even brighter future. The new year gives each of us the opportunity to reevaluate and to improve ourselves in a myriad of ways. Many of us make resolutions and set lofty goals. Yet despite our best efforts, we sometimes fall short of reaching those noble aspirations.

Resolution successes or failures are merely the outcomes of the underlying process of moving from reflection to goal-setting to behavioral actions. This process is driven and fertilized by the fresh hope of a new year. That very hope is a magnificently beautiful thing. The almost innate human hope of a better future in the new year collectively propels us toward a more perfect union.

I have the privilege of watching hope drive action on a daily basis at Weatherford College. Our students work hard and study hard, all in an effort to make a better life for themselves and their families. Our caring staff members hope to positively impact the lives of WC students. WC faculty members hope that through their teaching, scholarship, and service, they can make this world an even better place. Collectively, hope drives us toward a better future.

While some new year’s resolutions will be achieved and others will not, the very act of celebrating the new year and striving for an even better future refines us as human beings. The struggle toward self-improvement is illuminated by the light of fresh hope. Hope is a wonderful thing. Now please excuse me while I ponder on whether or not to eat another delicious chocolate chip cookie.