One year passed, and the world could have used more of me, but I forgot to listen

To listen to the billions of other lives

What about their stories?

The other beautiful moments, tragedies, and challenges that occurred in those same 365 days

While I was worried about getting an A, a child in Syria was wondering if they would survive today

While I let water flow freely in my house, Native American tribes in North Dakota would do anything for water that is clean

While I watched people vote for our president elect, I knew deep down, I was not in danger like my brothers and sisters of minority groups

While death plagued millions of lives this year, my family remained untouched

Again I am reminded how precious life is

And how many people with much less than me can be so much stronger

I am inspired, renewed, and deeply affected by these stories

The theme of 2016 is "pay attention!"

Look up, look around, look out

Look out for those who genuinely need help

Look up to those who let others in, rather than keep them out

Look around and control what you can 

Because any action is favored above none at all

Pay attention, a second chance has come around again