SpunOut.ie Blog
January, 2007
HOPE for 2007
SpunOut.ie Youth Editor, Clare Herbert speaks out.
'Hope for 2007'. It’s a daunting title, I admit, huge scope for success or an easy slide into mediocrity and apathy. Subscribing to Socrates’ aphorism “the unexamined life is not worth living”, I tend to make monthly New Year’s Resolutions and this year is no different. Not always the most practical of people I admit, I usual achieve a small net percentage of that which I set out to, with the remainder being carried over to the next month, or dumped.
In 2007, I don’t wanna cure world poverty. I would, however, love to volunteer in the third world. I don’t wanna revolutionize the Media; I will however be a more regular Spun Out contributor, among other journalistic ventures. I won’t be fixing Ireland’s many social problems, but I will be fighting the election for those who can. I want to find inspiration in my life (answers on a postcard), and make them my mentors. I want to appreciate my friends more than ever, and make many more of them. I want to go home more. Speak out more, on every platform. I want to actually enjoy the college course I worked so hard to get a place on. I want to give my poor lungs a proper work out.
It’s a lot of fancy hopes, I think. A lot of high aspirations and unrealistic counting of the sacrifices needed to get any of it. But, everything starts somewhere.
The central goal of 2007 though, and perhaps the remainder of my days, is to find a purpose. There are great things that need to done in this world; attitudes altered, changes made, improvements enjoyed.
Maybe, it’s not everyone’s responsibility or desire make an impact, but it is certainly mine. Advising a friend, I heard myself say: “There’s no reason in the world why you shouldn’t be the one to do that.” It was good advise, and I’m going to follow it.
It’s bold I know, but I recently spray painted a public wall with the word ‘hope’. To be honest, it was all could think of at the time. But musing the significance of my choice afterwards I realised that no word is more apt on the cusp of a brand new year. Hope.
By SpunOut.ie Youth Editor Clare Herbert
SpunOut.ie on YouTube
Watch SpunOut.ie videos!
Check out the range of SpunOut.ie videos on YouTube including:
- Our funky promo video in the style of the incredible A-Team.
- The SpunOut.ie mini-documentary on mental health, suicide and sexuality.
- The HSE produced SpunOut.ie video featuring Youth Editors Tara McGarrigle and Paddy Duffy, staff members Ruairi, Anna and Keith and Steering Group chair Anne Sheridan.
Click here to watch the videos.
Enjoy!!
