Last night the sky was clear,
the air outside was inviting,
and the moon was shining bright,
as people from all around the world
bid farewell to the year before
and welcomed the arrival
of the year to come with excitement,
with high spirits, with hope,
with messages of love,
with embraces, with kisses, and with cheer.

Today, after the chimes of the bells
that ushered in
a brand new orbit around the sun have quietened,
there is a palpable feeling of unbridled bewilderment -
because it feels as if now, more than ever,
no one knows what will happen next,
nor what twists and turns
the people of the world can expect...
the last 12 months have been
unlike any other in recorded history -
because over the last 365 days
there have been moments when
people have literally found themselves
catching their breath while wondering
when life will go back to how it used to be.

Last night, at the arrival of a new day,
as the fireworks were launched
into the darkness of the night
to enlighten the eyes and the dreams of many,
one year became another, 
and for a moment time felt as if it had stopped
and there was a wave of connection
that engulfed everyone -
one that began long before,
intending to deliver the possibility
of a new beginning to anyone who wants one.

The first day of the year is something special,
because no matter what happened before
and no matter what happens after
everybody can take a step back
at the same time that they take a step forward
to discover what awaits them,
like the light of a new day,
just over the horizon.

Happy New Year, everyone! 🎉🎊🎆✨🎇