Honestly, I make New Year’s resolutions. I have mixed feelings about this tradition. Even in defeat, you can learn a lot about yourself. And brother, I’ve learned a lot.
I have to admit I’m not looking forward to 2025. I decided to try making gold and silver out of madness. The alchemist works to make something good out of nothing. If nothing else, it will help me be patient and give me some hope, both of which I can benefit from.
I will try to be kinder in the new year. We all need to try to do this. The year 2025 will call us to help each other in a more profound and loving way. I have a feeling that a lot of people will suffer. I certainly hope and pray that I am wrong. It doesn’t seem right to make a decision and hope you’re wrong. In any case, I am determined to do everything I can to help those in need and those suffering due to government decisions.
I will give more money directly to people on the street. No more middleman. Charities use much of the money they receive to cover overheads and salaries, some of which are quite large. A common thing I hear is “they will only use it for alcohol”. Perhaps this is what they need to avoid withdrawal. Giving should not involve judgment or expectation of anything in return. Anything else is evangelism. I decide to say something every time I hear this. Give with an open heart without any expectations.
I decide to work on creating and supporting a community center. The majority of City Council members want us to forget about it so they can use the money to help their rich, right-wing friends. The rich don’t need more of our tax money. They can do whatever they want with their own money. They don’t need more from us. We must all decide to let them know that we are on their game. The rich don’t need any more of our charity.
I’m tired of deciding to do anything related to a community bandstand. This would help build community more than anything I can think of. People who say they’re going to do something don’t do it. We just finished 5y Summer where nothing is done. I don’t have a decision for this. I’ll have to accept the fact that it will probably never happen.
I was determined to do whatever I could to help the homeless and hungry. Sometimes they need a voice to remind us that we don’t need to hire security to protect us from them. We stay warm and full while they stay cold and hungry. This Christmas I will eat enough for ten people. The food, cakes and pies are very delicious. I can’t help myself. Give me more and more. We expel them from one place, then we expel them from another. How can more security find them a place to call home and a warm meal to eat?
Sometimes my decisions turn into wants, desires and hopes. I remember something Pastor Gores told me about hope. “For me, hope is the motivation to try and keep trying.” So I keep going, determined, and hopeful.
Bruce Wick has been a longtime columnist for The Zephyr and has been a co-founder of Many Paths Galesburg since 2019.
