As we close out 2023, I struggle to get into the 鈥榟oliday spirit鈥� we are supposed to feel this time of year. And yet, a single word keeps coming into my mind, PEACE, and that re-energizes me to look forward, just as Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman (鈥淭he Hill We Climb鈥�, 2021) asked herself 鈥淲here can we find light in this never-ending shade?鈥� And she responded to her own question, that 鈥淸w]e鈥檝e learned that quiet isn鈥檛 always peace.鈥�
Rather, 鈥淸w]e are striving to forge our union with purpose鈥�
And so we lift our gaze not to what stands between us
but what stands before us
We close the divide because we know to put our future first
We must first put our differences aside
We lay down our arms
So we can reach out our arms
To one another.
We seek harm to none and harmony for all.鈥�
As we look forward to a new year of opportunity to learn and to teach, knowing that it will take hard work but also unity of purpose, let us take this holiday season to find peace within ourselves, to calm and take care of ourselves as we join with family and friends, neighbors, and others. I wish you a peaceful year-end and a look to the next year with hope!
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Carola Weil
Dean of Continuing Studies
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