Today, somewhere in America, a farmer is getting up early to milk his cows. He hopes he can keep the farm long enough to pass it on to the next generation.
Today, somewhere in America, a single mom with young kids is working two jobs. She hopes that this month’s bills are not greater than this month’s income.
Today, somewhere in America, a parent is preparing themselves for the reality of their son or daughter getting deployed overseas. They hope they will come home safe and sound.
Today, somewhere in America, a family with teenagers is struggling with how to create healthy limits around technology. These parents hope that communication with their emerging adults does not break down in the process.
Today, somewhere in America, a daughter of aging parents is struggling to figure how tell to tell her parents they should no longer drive. She hopes they understand that her communication about this issue comes from love, not judgement.
Today, somewhere in America, a mother and father have lost their child to drugs and alcohol. They hope they are doing enough to help, but aren’t sure in the long run.
Today, somewhere in America, numerous people are waking up to this new day worried, overwhelmed, and feeling broken. All they see is limitations. All they see are challenges. All they see are problems.
Still, they hope things will get better. They pray that things will get better. They carry in their hearts the dream that things will get better.
And so they get up in the morning, and carry forth. They move forward with faith, persistence, and integrity. They believe that maybe today is the day when hope will become a reality, when a new beginning will start, when the dream of a more holistic and healthy life for them and the ones they love will happen.
The poet Mark Nepo grasped the magnitude of this situation and offered us a unique perspective. As he wrote, “Despite all our limitations, the most crucial challenge of being human is to show up like a rose.”
This quote speaks to me as I start this new year. I want to do more than just show up. I want to show up like a rose.
I want my inner beauty and dignity to be seen, not judged. I want the voice of my self-worth to be stronger than the voice of my self-critic. I want my inner light and inner strength to shine in the midst of my greatest fears and challenges. I want to see the miracles in each new day, and to experience the sacred within the ordinary. And I want to see the world anew.
Because today, somewhere in America, a new born is welcomed into the world and a family is celebrating.
Because today, somewhere in America, a loved one has passed to the other side, and a family is grieving and celebrating a life well lived and a life no longer in pain.
Because today, somewhere in America, someone has offered a kind and loving hand of support to another person, and changed their day and their life.
Because today, somewhere in America, someone is grateful to be alive one more day, and to have one more chance to be with their loved ones.
Because today, somewhere in America, a new day has begun and people are showing up with grit and gratitude in spite of the challenges before them. They are showing up like roses.
As Anais Nin reminds us, “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
Today, we rise, and we blossom.
Today, we choose to make the world a better place, one connection at a time.
Today, we are in awe by all the beauty and grace that surrounds us.
Today, we are a rose that blooms.
Today, we remember that new beginnings are always possible.
© Geery Howe 2025
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