This time of year is when we all crowd Facebook with wishes for the new year. For me, 2016 was a year of heartache and reconstructing my social circle biweekly. Resolutions are a wonderful thought and are formed with good intentions, however it is time to abandon these empty promises we make each and every year. The joke goes as follows - societally, we all post our goals for (insert year), then we fill our local gyms for two weeks until we decide to have a cheat day. That cheat day becomes a couple and then we let it slide for another week, or two, or three. Soon, those cycling classes are only attended by those who could practically teach the class themselves. We have adopted the notion of self-reliance as the foundation for bettering our own mental, physical, and emotional state. This year, we should work to fulfill the needs of others and carry the joyful spirit of the holidays into 2017.

This next season should be the start of something meaningful beyond our own desires. We spend so much time publishing what we feel we need to change in how we live and treat others, but we give up so easily - did you really wish to change at all? Many would argue that it is done with real intention, however, I feel we are so used to giving up that it is seen as socially acceptable. As easily as your "sins" are forgiven, your life won't receive the attention you felt it needed. We need to stop filling our heads and hearts with ideas which will then be dumped into the landfill of our abandoned goals in order to restore the richness and meaning to resolutions.

Two months ago, I would've said my goals were to get back in the gym, eat better at school, to spend less...save more - that kind of thing. But it seems like we are trying to revive a failed method for achieving what we want and it will never work for us, truthfully. I plan to push myself to be a better friend and family member more than anything because I've really learned from my first semester in college. The ways in which I treat my peers is vital to the health of my social circle and to bettering the way others treat me as a result. It has been proven to me through various examples that respect is earned, not just given. Though few in number, my good and true friends will be with me forever. I have found support in them and I want for them to trust and confide in me as I do. It is a blessing to receive what I have and I want to share my love for helping others. I have made the goals of returning to my high school as a "buddy" and aid in the Exceptional Child program for children with special needs and also in Friends Club - a social club to integrate these children with their peers through themed parties. I want to encourage others to work to be the best they can - physically, emotionally, spiritually.

What I've learned this season is that everyone deserves a friend. I've witnessed people exclude, belittle, forget, and challenge their loved ones; they've shown true ugliness and I realized this world is full of negativity. Friends are to surround us and show us a different kind of love. We receive this emotional support and it reminds us of how important we are in their lives too. I am baffled at the treatment some people take from those who are to respect us most. No one should ever feel of lesser importance in the presence of family. This is how I formed my goal of pursuing excellence in character and loyalty. I was blessed with the family I have and it means so much to spend time with them now that it is a privilege.