This morning after teaching my Wednesday AM kettlebell class, a student brought up the fact that he was looking over his Facebook feed and decided he has never seen people hate on a year more than 2016 is being hated on. I had to agree with the 2016 shaming. We are at the time where a generation of super talents are dying – some untimely and some not so untimely, but it simply sucks when legends die no matter their age. The election, well I’ll leave it at I personally would not have been joyful and excited for either candidate to win (seriously, where is Kid President when you really need him?) I speak for myself (and too many friends and colleagues who share my disappointment) when I say that this year I did not advance personally or professionally at the rate I would have liked to and where I am at the end of 2016 is nowhere near where I had hoped I would be when planning how the year would play out. But you know what? Life happens in cycles. We have to experience the lows to appreciate the highs. And at the end of the day, we have so much to be grateful for. I’m happy to end 2016 and begin 2017 with a new outlook on life and determination that this too, shall pass. Where can we go but up?  Let’s not get discouraged at the state of the world but come together and make 2017 our best year yet. It takes a low like 2016 to make us realize how amazing life CAN be if we stick to it and wake up every day determined to be the best versions of ourselves we can be. “Be the change you want to see in the world,” said Gandhi. Thoreau is credited with, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.” I’m taking these words to heart as we venture into the unknown that is 2017. Whether your goal is professional, financial, spiritual, physical, or some combination of 4, we can do this. Don’t stay discouraged. We’ve got this. And if 2016 was a great year for you, congratulations. Keep it up. Let’s map out this upcoming year and share our successes at the end of next December!