2016 was hard, and challenging, and tough for everyone. It threw the world for a loop and ripped the floor out from under us. But I hope 2017 is better.

Have Your Voice Heard: Become an Odyssey Creator

I hope you find set high goals.

And I hope you reach them. Do the thing that you always thought you never would. Tell the boy you like him, or let go of the one you don't anymore. Work your butt off and ace the class you thought you'd fail. Run for an executive position within an organization. If you win, take the club to new heights. If you don't, help the one who did. Reach for the things you see in your wildest dreams and make them your reality.

I hope you find your people.

And I hope you treasure them. Find the people you were always meant to have in your life. The ones you can't say goodbye to, the ones that love the weird and quirky parts of you that you yourself never learned to love. I hope you lend them your shoulder if they need you, or they lend you theirs if you need them. Laugh every day. Laugh at them, laugh at life, laugh at yourself. Just laugh.

I hope you learn.

And I hope you learn more than just what is in your textbooks. Learn about your passions, learn a new hobby, learn something new every day. I hope you learn to forgive. And I hope you learn to forget. Forgive those who have done you wrong in the past, and forget the hurt or bitterness it may have caused you. I hope you learn to love. To love the opportunities and experiences you are blessed with, to love and appreciate those around you, to love yourself even if the rest of the world doesn't. I hope you learn your purpose.

I hope 2017 is your best year yet.

I hope the new year brings you peace, joy, and all things wonderful. I hope you find your happy, and I hope you thrive.