A Look Back and Hope Going Forward

But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Be joyful though you have considered all the facts.
Wendell Berry

To say 2025 was a challenging year is a supreme understatement. Political hostilities, the rise in authoritarianism, divisive rhetoric, and level of human suffering reached a level I did not think was possible. The past year was a dark time- a darkness that seems to be continuing.

At the outset of 2025 I deliberately chose Adventure as my word of the year so that I could shift my way of looking at life and avoid falling into a state of chronic melancholy. It’s easy to forget that much good news happened. According to the pundits, crime rates dropped, global poverty continued to decline in many parts of the world, there was a significant rise in the use of green energy, and the Blue Jays came close to winning the World Series!

Good news seems to surprise to me. Standing in stark contrast to dreadful events and the nonsense of bad actors, delightful surprises often show up in ordinary moments, piercing the gloom with their light. I witnessed this in how people carried on with their lives and did not give in to despair Here are a few examples which left me in awe and brought a smile to my face.

Small acts of kindness were in abundance:  a heart felt thank you note from a distant family member. a store clerk patiently helping an individual who was struggling, young people offering their seats on transit, and a child sharing a toy with another. On one occasion, a bus driver delayed starting the bus until an elderly woman searched for her transit card and sat down. It took awhile. No one on the bus said a word.

Extraordinary women – many of whom are older-  are living adventurous lives. I have the good fortune to know some of them. Several embarked on long walking treks:  the Camino, the Apennines, Patagonia, and a Borders trail ithrough Scotland and England. Such adventures demanded strength, endurance, and courage.  Out of these experiences, bonds were formed with fellow travellers, and a new understanding of life’s priorities began to emerge.

A number of individuals shared their time and talents  through volunteer work. Some were foundations of strength– supporting friends, neighbours, and family, all with little fanfare. Perhaps the most extraordinary were those quietly dealing with difficult circumstances with dignity and grace.

Embarking on creative pursuits. Two friends, both first time authors, wrote books. One is  now a published author at the tender age of 80; the other will soon be seeking a publisher. Others turned to art such as painting and pottery or honed their craft of quilting, creating wonderful artistic pieces. Another left her secure job to explore her dream of working on her own.

I lived out my word of the year in small and larger ways through long hikes, exploring new places, and fulfilling my dream of going for a motorcycle ride. What a thrill!  I also  decided to say hello to strangers and found that most people smiled back. A few engaged in conversation to express their views on the weather, the need for more green space in the city, or admiration for my Book Nerd bag. One young man behind the counter at a café, talked about the challenges of finding work, something he clearly needed to tell someone. Saying hello was an easy way to forge human connection.

With the world in turmoil, I was reminded this past year how grateful I am to live in such a great country as Canada. May I never take it for granted.

Life is a mix of ease and struggle. What’s happening these days is enough to make you weep.  In such dark times, the stars in our midst shine and most of them are ordinary people, doing their best as they go through their day. They show up.

Showing up, acts of kindness and living fully are both individual and collective forms of resistance, reflecting the hope that joy can be found in everyday life. That change is possible. With eyes wide open, may we be filled with  hope and extend kindness as we go forward.  Hope and kindness could change everything.

My thanks to Cam who was brave enough to take me for a motorcycle ride.

Although I centred on ordinary citizens in this post, I want to add that Jacinda Ahern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, in conversation with Jon Stewart, talked about the importance of leaders needing to demonstrate the quality of kindness. She noted that two Prime Ministers in their speeches, on being elected, emphasized the importance of kindness- the Prime Ministers of Canada and Australia. I wish there were more.