Embrace New Beginnings: Staying Focused on Fresh Starts as the Year Progresses

Last month, when snow blanketed Louisiana, I found myself thinking about fresh starts. Snow days felt like a chance to hit the reset button, especially after a tough beginning to 2025. The New Year kicked off with a tragic terrorist attack in the French Quarter, leaving many of us feeling heavy with grief. The beauty of snow offered a moment to reconnect with hope amid the sadness.

Each morning, I check my phone for news. On that New Year’s Day, the headlines about the violence were hard to bear. Special days like New Year’s are meant for renewal and joy. Instead, this day brought loss and a sense of violation.

For those who lost loved ones, life has shifted in unimaginable ways. Healing will be a long journey. Yet, in the face of tragedy, there’s a way to find resilience by recognizing the beauty around us.

The snowfall disrupted daily life — work, travel, and routines were thrown into chaos. But it also revealed a beauty that stopped us in our tracks. I heard stories about kids experiencing their first snowfall, their excitement sparking joy in adults too. The snow transformed our ordinary landscapes into magical scenes of white-covered lawns and trees. The morning after, the bright sun illuminated the pristine snow, creating a breathtaking sight.

This transformation reminded me of what English author J.B. Priestley once wrote: “The first fall of snow is not only an event, but it is a magical event.” Waking up to a world changed by snow feels enchanting, a bit like the promise of a new beginning.

Priestley saw snow as a blank slate filled with potential. As the days pass, though, it can be challenging to maintain that sense of wonder. Life often pulls us into routines that wear us down.

But then, I came across a message on a teabag that resonated with me: “We can always start again.” I want to believe that’s true, even if it doesn’t always feel that way.

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