It’s that time. It’s time to reflect on 2012 and consider a few resolutions for 2013.

Try not to focus on just recent events. This is a challenge, I know. What tends to come to mind are those things that happened recently or were overwhelmingly tragic or (and these are my least favorite) are both recent and tragic. We must own these tragedies as part of the story of us, but we can also allow ourselves to reflect on some victories and joys.

Here are a few 2012 joys off the top of my head:

• My oldest daughter officially became a teenager
• New Hampshire elected an all-female congressional delegation
• My brother got a new job that uses his very talented brain
• Usain Bolt became the first person to win the 100m and 200m sprint in back to back Olympics
• I ran my first half marathon… and didn’t throw up or pass out
• Ellen Degeneres released a deliciously funny video about Bic for Her pens.
• Gabrielle Douglas became the first African American to ever receive the gymnastics Olympic All-Around title
• Adele successfully returned from vocal cord surgery and sang again
• Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide premiered on PBS
• Just Dance 4 was released
• I moved into a new position at work
• The 2012 United States election ushered in a historic number of female senators
• Both of my daughters got all As on their report cards
• On Monday, November 26, New Yorkers recorded a rare day without a single report of a person being shot, stabbed, or subjected to a violent crime

Can you believe it? Who would have imagined such things were even possible?

But they were possible. And in 2013, I look forward to enjoying many more unbelievably possible moments. In fact, I resolve to enjoy them. I resolve to celebrate the resiliency of human beings. I resolve to recognize our incredible capacity to give and respond to the needs of others. I resolve to make myself aware of the needs of others and actively pursue opportunities to respond to them. I resolve to courageously embrace my vulnerability and dare to achieve the greatness that can result. I resolve to remember to keep faith and hope alive. I resolve to creatively approach each day. I resolve to remain committed to my work and the world that it benefits. I resolve to honor and respect the depth of the human spirit.

As Executive Director of A Woman’s Place (AWP), woman, mother, and run-of-the-mill member of the community, I am excited about 2013 and I resolve to move closer to realizing the vision of a world in which each and every one of us is flourishing.

We are creating our future, and the future of AWP in 2013 will be glorious. Be courageous and brave and, please, join me, in the journey to come in the year to come. Act to achieve peace, equality, and justice. Act to create the future we want – a world in which all beings are flourishing.

Happy New Year!

Ifeoma Aduba
Executive Director