Each year a great many people make New Year’s resolutions to make changes in their lives, hopefully for the better. Some resolutions are successful. Others are not and life remains the same. But this is a new year, a time of renewal, a time of beginnings. There are things in our lives that we cannot control. There are actions that will happen to us over the next 12 months that all we can do is to react to them. But how we react to what may be the inevitable will be under our control.

We can make a conscious decision to approach the world with our minds open and our hearts free of conflict. When you’re hurrying through your busy day stop and acknowledge a stranger as you pass by. Smile and say “good day”.  Something miraculous may just happen. They may smile back! Your simple smile may connect with another in such a way as to lift their spirits, to make their day better. And isn’t that a wonderful power for every one of us to have.

They say that with great power comes great responsibility.  And that is quite true.  Each individual has the capacity for great good and great evil.  That is where the choice comes in.  You choose.  You can choose to acknowledge a stranger and be kind.  Or you can choose to ignore people who are not in your tiny circle of friends and with that you have lost a unique opportunity.  When we connect with each other as strangers or as friends we grow, we evolve.  We become part of the world.  Our actions have the potential to lift the spirit of another or to dash them into apathy.

This new year is still young.  It is young enough that we still look forward with hope and with anticipation.  How this year unfolds will be in direct relationship to the wishes of the people.  The problem is not everybody is thinking positively.  But you can and I can.  At least that is a start.  Now try to pass on that positivity to another.

Superpowers don’t just belong to the crime fighters in tights or to the politicians sitting on the bomb. You have within your grasp the power to change the life of another. Intoxicating isn’t it!

So put on your weapon of mass introduction and smile. If we would all just grin at each other we might stop shooting.

This is a new year with a new chance to make changes in the world. Go forth and make a difference!