The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief greetings and hopes for the New Year

This editorial represents the consensus opinion of The Daily Herald Editorial Board. In this special edition of the Saturday Soapbox, Daily Herald editors offer brief greetings and hopes for the New Year.

This week's Clippable Quote

"Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one." - country singer Brad Paisley

Another year, another chance to excel, another chance to love thy neighbor.

- John Lampinen, Retired Editor

As longtime Publisher Doug Ray has told us innumerable times, whether you come with a smile and a good attitude or not, the price is the same. To me, it's amazing how much better your day, your week, your month and your year can be when you start it out that way.

­- Jim Baumann, Executive Editor

As we move into 2023, think about how you want to represent yourself on social media. What example do you want to set? What message do you want to share? We hope it's one of love and respect. Treat others the way you'd like to be treated. Remember, you don't always know someone's personal struggles, so approach people - both in person and online - with kindness.

- Kelly Vold, Senior Digital Editor for Engagement

The criminally underrated songwriter Frank Turner wrote, "Well, we've been a good few hours drinking/ So I'm going to say what everyone's thinking/ If we're stuck on this ship and it's sinking/ Then we might as well have a parade." Like every year before it, 2023 will bring us challenges, hardships and times when we might feel like giving up. Don't. Let's all make the best of whatever 2023 holds in store for us.

- Charles Keeshan, Assistant Managing Editor

What's coming in 2023? A recession? Partisan bickering? General cantankerousness? We can do better. Even if you're not one for New Year's resolutions, we can all start the year with hope and keep that hope going. We can stay positive. We can work to make our worlds, big and small, a better place.

- Neil Holdway, Deputy Managing Editor/Late News

In 2023, let's continue the civic engagement that drove voter turnout in the November election. This April, the groups whose decisions affect you (and your property tax bill) most directly - municipal councils, school boards, park boards, library boards and fire district trustees - are on the ballot.

- Michelle Holdway, News Editor

Like most people, I'll be observing the time-honored tradition of making resolutions - losing weight, eating healthier, traveling more - and trying not to break them a week into the New Year. One personal goal I set for myself above all else is to show more gratitude for my blessings - something I believe the pandemic has taught us all - and continue embracing change and meeting challenges with a smile. Happy 2023! Bring it on, bismillah (in the name of God).

­- Madhu Krishnamurthy, Assistant City Editor/Diversity Editor

I resolve to lower my stress level in 2023. It's easy to let work and deadlines consume you. But I want to devote more time in the coming year to reading books, taking walks, being with family and enjoying life.

- Robert Sanchez, City Editor

At the dawn of a new year, let's pledge to do our part for the planet through 2023 and beyond. There are lots of ways we can each contribute to the fight against climate change - by driving less, considering the impact of our actions and purchases and reusing and recycling whatever we can. We can make a difference, but the time to act is here.

- Lisa Miner, Managing Editor for News

My wish for 2023? It's in my favorite Bruce Springsteen lyric, from "Land of Hopes and Dreams": "Well, this train carries saints and sinners / This train carries losers and winners / This train carries whores and gamblers / This train carries lost souls / I said, this train, dreams will not be thwarted / This train, faith will be rewarded / This train, hear the steel wheels singin' / This train, bells of freedom ringin'" As the song says, all aboard!

- Jim Slusher, Managing Editor for Administration and Opinion