A great time for fresh start

Opinion

Discussion

December 31, 2009

Anonymous The Kokomo Tribune Thu Dec 31, 2009, 07:17 PM EST

THE ISSUE:The new year.

OUR VIEW:Resolve to do more to make our world a better place.

A lot of us will be making New Year’s resolutions today. It’s a tradition that dates to ancient Rome. The Romans named the first month of the year after Janus, the god of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrances. Janus had two faces, one on the front of his head and one on the back, so that he could look backward and forward at the same time.

At the dawn of a new year, the Romans imagined Janus looking back at the old year and forward to the new.

Today, we say goodbye to what some have been calling the Oh-ohs, a decade not many of us will miss. It was a time that brought the American economy to its knees, producing not one but two meltdowns in the stock market and the most deadly terror attack in American history.

As we look forward to a new decade, we have reason to be optimistic.

Already, the stock market has made a significant recovery, and there are signs that the economy has turned the corner.

As the ancient Romans knew, the start of a new year is a great time for new beginnings.

This is a great time to cut back on stress. Perhaps we’ll resolve to lose weight, to pay off debt, to save money, to get a better job. Or maybe we’ll promise ourselves to start that exercise program and eat a healthier diet.

Maybe we want to get a better education, cut back on alcohol or quit smoking.

But let’s not just think about ourselves.

Let’s resolve to do more to make the world a better place. Let’s promise to give more to charity or to devote more of our time to community causes.

Let’s pledge to bend down and pick up the next piece of trash we see on the way to the car.

Perhaps we can all do one small thing every week or every month to make our community a better place to live.

As we stand on the threshold of 2010, let’s all join Janus in taking a look back and a look forward. And let’s pledge to make this the beginning of a healthier, happier, more prosperous year.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Opinion

Cast a vote for centers
The issue: Vote centers in Howard County.

Our view: Centers are less expensive to operate and more convenient for the average voter.

February 9, 2012
White shouldn’t return to office
The issue: The conviction of Indiana’s secretary of state.

Our view: Charlie White’s ouster from office should be permanent.

February 9, 2012
Editorial - Feb. 8, 2012: Grand success for Indianapolis
The issue: The Super Bowl.

Our view: Indianapolis left a great impression on thousands of visitors.

February 8, 2012
Letters to the Editor: Feb. 8, 2012
As Hoosiers celebrate the conclusion of a truly remarkable Super Bowl experience, there is even more good news that should fill us with pride. More Indiana students are graduating from high school than ever before.

February 8, 2012
Which religions will we include?
The Indiana Senate last week approved a bill that would allow public schools to teach creationism, as long as they include theories from multiple religions.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
If you say so
In an opinion piece we published Thursday, state Rep. Mike Karickhoff announced why he voted against “right-to-work” legislation. His reason: The community told him to.

February 5, 2012
Cheers and jeers - Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012
Karickhoff acted ‘cowardly’

The Rev. Robin Wentworth Mayer and Horst G. Mayer of Kokomo send the Jeer for state Rep. Mike Karickhoff’s silence during the “right-to-work” debate:

“Mr. Karickhoff, for someone who’s new to office, you’ve certainly learned the art of talking out of both sides of your mouth.

February 3, 2012
Let’s drug test our lawmakers
Perhaps it’s appropriate that a measure passed by the Indiana House this week would ask not only welfare recipients but Indiana lawmakers to consent to a drug test.

February 3, 2012
Editorial - Feb. 2, 2012: Peru delivers a message
The issue: Peru’s collection of $20,000 last year from property owners who failed to keep their yards mowed.

Our view: Aggressive enforcement can help a city’s finances, but the benefits go beyond dollars and cents.

February 2, 2012
Karickhoff: Reason behind my ‘right-to-work’ vote
There is no doubt the “right-to-work” debate has brought mixed emotions, not only to our state but District 30 as well. There were only a handful of House Republicans who did not vote in support of this legislation. Let me explain why I felt it was necessary for me to vote in opposition to right to work.

February 2, 2012
More Opinion Headlines

Opinion

Search Results

Discussion

A great time for fresh start

Site Map

Contact Us