For many of us, 2025 was a bittersweet year. Perhaps this is true of most years as we look back. For me personally, there were challenging moments, including health challenges and family challenges. As Thich Nhat Hanh says, “When there is no mud, then there’s no lotus.” There is usually light at the end of the tunnel as we garner wisdom from the difficult times in our lives. Sometimes it’s hard to find the light in the midst of darkness, but if we wait, or look hard enough, it is always there.
I am grateful that from my father, I learned to see the glass as half full instead of half empty. He taught me the habit of waking up in the morning and thinking two things that I’m grateful for, a practice that has the potential to set the tone for our day.
Leaving the Year of the Snake Behind
In general, I don’t live my life according to the messages of the Zodiac calendar; however, I do find some information both informative and entertaining. At this moment, and until the start of the Chinese New Year on February 17th, we are transitioning from the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Fire Horse.
The Year of the Snake was marked by a shedding and letting go, compounded by inner growth, renewal, transformation and subconscious healing. As a writer, this suited me and my tendency to go inward or sit in front of my computer creating poems and essays.
Embracing the Chinese Year of the Fire Horse
I am excited about coming into the Year of the Fire Horse, primarily because I was born in the Year of the Horse. According to the Chinese Zodiac, this new year is supposed to be a good year for me! The Year of the Horse is typically characterized by dynamic energy, clarity, freedom, courage, breakthroughs and perhaps a sense of independence.
It’s also a year of action and embracing the momentum, like we see in the forward motion of a horse. For me, this brings to mind the image of watching my mother ride her horse in the corral near her stable on Long Island, New York. She used to take me there every Sunday, and I would watch her until I developed an allergy to horses and refused to go.
Why New Year Resolutions Don’t Work for Me
Unlike when I was younger, I no longer create New Year’s resolutions. Historically, they have never worked for me. I’d give them a try for a few weeks after the start of the year, and then before long, I’d forget them to the point where I’d need to be reminded what I’d committed to – and, of course, by that time, they were broken.
More often than not, people who create resolutions want to lose weight or follow a new exercise regimen. Certainly, resolutions make for good New Year’s Eve conversations.
Trying Something New
These days I’m more inclined to set New Year intentions. My intention for 2026 is to work on creating more of a sense of community. Ever since the pandemic, most of the world has been dealing with a loneliness epidemic. People are not reaching out as much. Many have resigned themselves to being alone. They have taken up solo activities and decided that this is okay.
Last January, there was an article in The Atlantic entitled, “Americans Need to Party More.” The article claimed that one in eight Americans do not have any friends, and “only 4.1 percent of Americans actually attended or hosted a social event on an average weekend or holiday in 2023.” I found this astounding, given that humans are social creatures.
So that I am not a part of any upcoming statistics, I kicked off the year with a New Year’s Day Party! After sending out the invitations, I was amazed at the enthusiasm; almost everyone said that they would come. This response confirmed that there is a dire need to come together.
Another important coming-together experience in 2025 was the release of my anthology, Women in a Golden State: California Poets 60 and Over. Not only were my co-editor Chryss Yost and I overwhelmed with the response to the Call for Submissions, but when it came time to organize book readings, the interest and enthusiasm were remarkable.
Women even talked about arranging a bus tour around the state for readings. While the book is a collection of wonderful poetry, the real enthusiasm came from a sort of coming together as kindred spirits – in a way many of us had not felt since the hippie era of the 1960s. It shows just how much community is needed.
Ideas to Help with Loneliness in Your Community
If you are inspired to come together with your community to combat loneliness, here are some ideas:
- Join interest-based groups (book groups, walking groups, gardening, crafting).
- Take classes at your local adult-learning center.
- Volunteer at places of need (homeless shelters, museums, animal shelters, hospitals).
- Host a dinner party of kindred spirits or people you have not seen in a while.
- Join a game group (canasta, bridge, Mahjongg, Scrabble, etc.).
- Join or create an intergenerational group (mentoring, tutoring, gardening, book clubs).
Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year!
Let’s Talk:
What transitions are you planning for 2026? Do you lack social connections or do you enjoy plenty of time with friends?
