Brooke's Corner

Happy new year!  As we close the door on 2006 and leave it to our memories, I, like many of you, have reflections on the year gone by and thoughts for the year to come.

2006 was a year characterized by moments of great sadness and frustration.  We, as a society, experienced the loss of incredible people, and witnessed unfortunate missed opportunities to make progress.  When thinking about Dana’s passing early in the year, and then the failure of Congress to pass the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act, it is easy to feel defeated, to feel a bit lost, or to begin to question our ability to make positive change.  However, it is for these very reasons that we should feel that much more committed to make a difference.  It is often the case that anytime we face instances of personal or collective difficulty, we can resort to resignation.  However, feelings of victimization and feelings of resentment can be as disabling as any physical condition we might face.  No one is immune to this, regardless of any situation one might be in.

But, just as we should not feel overwhelmed by events in our personal lives, we also should not feel overwhelmed by events that take place in the world around us.  Even more importantly, the obstacles that take place personally and publicly should never stand in the way of the broader work we can – and, indeed, must – do.  Where 2006 may have disappointed us, 2007 presents us with great opportunities, and it is our responsibility to seize them.  There are advances taking place every day, advances that should give us reason to remain not only hopeful but, indeed, excited about the future, and these are what we should set our sights on and be a part of.

As many of you likely already know, I was a candidate for the New York State Senate in the 2006 election.  Though the electoral results were not in my favor, my campaign did provide me with the opportunity to speak about issues and concerns that I believe are of particular importance to our broad future.  The issues of health care, and our need to provide it, education, and our need to protect it, scientific research, and our need to promote it – these were issues that I spoke about, in an effort to ensure progress.  I was not victorious in my effort in 2006, but I see much potential in 2007.  I am excited to see what opportunities the coming year brings for all of us to continue to move forward and carry on a collective mission.  Whether this is through politics, advocacy, working in our communities, or even a kind word when it’s needed, it comes down to believing that we can make a difference, not feeling daunted by challenges ahead, and not focusing on problems in the past.  To believe otherwise is to believe far too little about ourselves.

I hold great optimism for 2007, and I believe it is a year with an enormous amount of opportunity.  Realizing this opportunity, though, rests with all of us.  We can reflect on 2006 but we need not dwell on its disappointments.  Where there is potential, we can work to embrace it.  Where there is change to be made, we can work to make it.  And, with every opportunity life presents us, we all can be a part of a year full of promise.