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Reflecting On 2016

Looking back can help move us forward

Samantha Baker

Jan 03, 2017

Colorado State University-Pueblo

FreeWebPoint

A new year means new opportunities. New opportunities in love, in work, and in relationships. This also means that the new year is full of missteps and mistakes because not every step we take is the right one. Many may want to leave everything that happened in 2016 there, but history is important.

Without history we would not exist. We would not be who we are today. Whether you like who you are now or you plan on making changes, you wouldn't have anything to work with if you didn't remember your history.

This is why I propose reflecting back on 2016 in such a way that will make 2017 better. Remember the good and the bad in a neutral way that will allow you to learn from what you did. What is past is gone, nothing can be changed, but looking back can help us from making the same mistakes in the future.

Remember when...

January 2016: Iran Nuclear Deal went into effect, Taiwan elected its first female president

February 2016: Super Bowl 50, #OscarsSoWhite

March 2016: Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton pulled ahead in presidential race, former first lady Nancy Reagan died

April 2016: Obama moves more troops to Syria to fight ISIS, airstrike killed 50 people in Aleppo, Syria hospital

May 2016: EgyptAir flight MS804 went missing over the Mediterranean

June 2016: Orlando club shooting killed 49 people, Olympic athletes bow out due to zika virus in Rio

July 2016: Pokemon Go is launched, Dallas shooting killed 5 police officers

August 2016: Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Brazil female president is impeached

September 2016: U.S. and Russia have Syria cease-fire, Government recalls Samsung Note 7

October 2016: 141 people arrested at Dakota Access Pipeline, Cubs win World Series

November 2016: Donald Trump wins the presidential election, Ohio State sees someone crash car and begin attacking individuals with a butcher knife

December 2016: Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher died

All of this happened in the world around you. Some of it directly affected you while others were just something in the news. History is being made every day. So take some time to reflect on your history. You might learn something about yourself or others, and that something just might make 2017 the best year yet.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Reflecting On 2016

Looking back can help move us forward

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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