AS THE NEW YEAR begins, I enter it with a whole lot of trepidation, uncertainty and concern. Feeling optimistic right now does not come easily. I fear for our country. I fear for my community. I fear for my Latino and Somali neighbors, targeted by the federal government. Yes, ICE agents are visible and active in Faribault. Though I have not seen them myself, this information comes from reliable sources.
I fear that we are becoming desensitized to the ICE snatchings. I fear we are becoming desensitized to the lies, the rhetoric, the hatred, the awfulness spewing from, well, way too many leaders and even everyday people.
What happened to common decency and goodness and kindness? And due process? Why is anyone accepting suppression, oppression, racism, discrimination and more as OK, especially those who claim Christianity as their belief system? None of what’s happening is Christian, not according to my Christian beliefs anyway. Not according to the Bible I read.
It’s hard, really hard, to remain hopeful in the light of all this. But I try. My mom raised me to be caring, kind and compassionate. She lived that way, helping others through volunteerism and monetary gifts, but mostly through her kind, quiet, gentle and caring spirit. She treated everyone with love and compassion. I wish Mom was still alive so I could talk to her about all of this.
But sometimes the dead still speak to us. I don’t mean that in a literal sense, but rather in the legacies and words the once-living leave behind. It is one of the reasons I meander through cemeteries. Valley Grove Cemetery, rural Nerstrand, is one of those final resting places that offers an abundance of wisdom upon gravestones.
One particular tombstone stands out for the many positive affirmations it lists under the banner, BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS. (And this means authentic peacemakers, not those who pretend or claim to practice/bring peace.) Under that gravestone header is this broader message: EVERYONE HAS SOME GIFTS THAT CAN MAKE OUR WORLD A LITTLE BETTER. I absolutely agree.
Then, on the massive slab of stone, are written specific ways in which we can make the world better and live as peacemakers. I especially appreciate these two messages: TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED. And BE KIND TO ALL AS YOU NEVER KNOW THEIR BURDENS.
Those are simple, uncomplicated directives that seem easy enough to follow. In 2026, it is my hope that we can shift back to being a caring country, where we treat others as we would like to be treated. And that is with kindness, compassion, care and love.
TELL ME: What are your hopes for 2026 in the U.S., your community? What are your concerns for the new year?
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Love and joy to you in 2026, Audrey. ❤️
Thank you, Ruth. May your new year also overflow with love and joy.
I’m still trying to hang onto hope, but wondering if the goings on in government can get worse…maybe we have become desensitised already… I’ll strive to be more caring, kind and compassionate. And listen more, and look for opportunities to help others.
I do think we’ve become somewhat desensitized as we are constantly bombarded by so many awful things coming out of DC. But we can’t be distracted and need to remain focused on caring, kindness and compassion. I like your thought of listening more and looking for more opportunities to help others. You already excel at both, my friend.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Your timely piece for New Year’s Day was a heartfelt message for all and covered many worthwhile points to ponder. Your button Be Kind says it all and serves as a reminder of how we hope everyone will act, though not always the case. Yes, we’re all moving into 2026 with trepidation and concern, and we must band together and get the message out: treat others the way we would like to be treated, and being kind is a good start.
Thanks for keeping the message strong in your community.
And thank YOU for gifting me with that kindness button. I love it because of its strong message.
Yes, we must continue to stand up for what is right, continue to be kind, resist when necessary and work together for the common good.
thank you for sharing these beautiful reminders, even in the midst of all of the cruel acts and fear and uncertainty. they serve to give us hope and show us the good in people that has been and continues to be a part of our lives. my hopes are that we can overcome these cruel acts through collective acts, of strength, speaking out, through peaceful actions, through legal acts, and by putting people in places of power who can support positive initiatives, protecting and supporting good people of ALL kinds.
Well summarized, my Michigan friend. I stand with you.
Yes, finding ways to nurture optimism is a challenge right now. And yes, becoming desensitized is a real threat. Still, I hope that somehow remaining determined to tell some truth will, in the long term, have an impact for good.
As always, Michael, thank you for your encouraging comment. I appreciate your positivity, especially now.
Like you Audrey, I desperately hope we shift into a kind and caring society. I hope our leaders find their decency and goodness, and start standing up in honor and integrity. Until they do, the rest of us must continue to behave as the most honorable and kindest humans possible as an example. We can’t fall into the pits of hate, division, and dishonor strewn before us. Thank you for continuing to bring inspiring hope into the world.
Well said, Rose. We must continue to do what is right and good, honorable and compassionate. I appreciate you, your kindness, goodness and compassion. And so much more. I feel grateful for the friendship we have forged.
I still see love and compassion everywhere and choose to focus on that . I do what I can to promote that in my small corner of the world with the hope that the ripples expand out. I try to be aware of all the yuck in the world but try not to get overwhelmed because then I can’t do anything to move past it.
Happy New Year!
You’re right about much love and compassion still existing in this world. I for sure see that, too. But I also see too much of the other, thus I write about both. Onward into the new year with hope!