Hope for 2025
Hope
Our mission is to plant ourselves at the gates of Hope—
not the prudent gates of Optimism,
which are somewhat narrower;
not the stalwart, boring gates of Common Sense;
nor the strident gates of Self-Righteousness,
which creak on shrill and angry hinges
(people cannot hear us there; they cannot pass through);
nor the cheerful, flimsy garden gate of
“Everything is gonna be all right.”
But a different, sometimes lonely place,
the place of truth-telling,
about your own soul first of all and its condition,
the place of resistance and defiance,
the piece of ground from which you see the world
both as it is and as it could be, as it will be;
the place from which you glimpse not only struggle,
but joy in the struggle.
And we stand there, beckoning and calling,
telling people what we are seeing,
asking people what they see.
-Victoria Stafford
As we stand on the cusp of a new year, the traditions of setting New Year’s resolutions and intentions abound. But this year, I came across a fresh idea that truly resonated: choosing a single word to serve as an anchor or compass for the year ahead. Unlike resolutions, which can feel rigid and fleeting, a word has the power to guide us through challenges and keep us grounded in our purpose.
For 2025, my word is hope.
Not just any hope, but the kind of hope described so beautifully by Victoria Stafford:
Hope that stands firm in truth-telling, starting with our own souls.
Hope that sees the world as it is but also envisions what it can and will be.
Hope that finds joy even in the struggle.
Why Hope?
As we head into 2025, hope feels essential. With the backdrop of a rapidly changing political landscape, global unrest, climate challenges, a strained healthcare system, and personal struggles that many of us face, hope becomes a lifeline.
Interestingly, hope has always been a thread running through my life and career. Many of the places where I’ve worked or volunteered have borne its name—Community of Hope Clinic, Hope Central Clinic, NU Hope Clinic, and Church of Hope, to name a few. These weren’t just places where I could use my skills to help others; they were communities of support and shared purpose.
This sense of belonging and shared mission is something health professionals, now more than ever, are longing for. As we navigate an increasingly complex and demanding healthcare system, we need spaces where our unique gifts are valued, and where we can find connection and meaning in our work.
A New Chapter of Hope: Orville
As I embrace hope as my guiding word, I’m reminded of the joy it brings when combined with action. On January 2nd, our family will welcome Orville, a service dog puppy, into our home for 18 months of training. This little bundle of joy will one day accompany someone with a disability, helping them achieve greater independence. In return, my family and I become part of a community of puppy raisers who share a common mission and deeply value one another’s contributions.
It’s a simple yet profound reminder that hope often flourishes in community and through acts of service.
What is Your Word for 2025?
As you reflect on the year ahead, I invite you to choose your own guiding word. What word will help you stay anchored and navigate the shifting landscape of healthcare and personal challenges?
And if you’re struggling to decide, feel free to borrow mine. After all, we could all use a little more hope right now.
Let’s step into 2025 together, finding joy in the struggle, supporting one another, and creating a shared vision for a brighter future.
—
Wishing you hope and resilience in the year to come.