New Year’s Day . . . A time for reflection.
Many of us could look back on 2025 as a bleak year filled with challenges. But instead, we plan to focus on accomplishments—connections developed with family, friends and neighbors, time spent in nature, compassion shown to those in need and small steps that make a difference.
In her final message to the world, primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall said “even today, when the planet is dark, there is still hope.” She reminds us that our lives matter. That we can make a difference by starting with small, positive actions. That we need to show compassion and respect for all living things. That we maintain hope.
“If you lose hope, you become apathetic and do nothing. . . If you want to save the planet for the future generations. . . then think about the actions you can take each day.” (Goodall).
Author and editor Tiffany Yates Martin has echoed these sentiments in her posts to the writing community.
“Perhaps this
holiday season will mark a new awakening for humanity where we remember what
connects us and that we are more like than we are different, and we begin
treating one another as the brothers and sisters we are, with respect and
decency. . . .None of it can ever happen if we can’t imagine the hope of it.” (Martin)
NHS psychotherapist Moya Sarner reminds us to focus on positive contributions. “We all have the capacity for creativity and growth. Hold on to this potential when life seems bleak.” (Sarner)
Research, too, has shown that more hopeful individuals have better health, more resilience and less anxiety. Furthermore, studies suggest, “Those who feel more hopeful tend to also see life as more meaningful.” (Hopper)
In a recent column for The Guardian, author James Bailey has asked numerous individuals about the meaning of life. Palliative care consultant Kathryn Mannix advises us to “rejoice” in the range of experiences and emotions as “part of our experience of being fully alive.” Holocaust survivor Susan Polllack writes of the “kindness and goodwill” that transcended horrific events. And retired British javelin thrower Fatima Whitbread reminds us, “If you add value to other people’s lives, you’ll never be at a loss for living a life of purpose.” (Bailey)
Rainbow near Grasse, France (photo courtesy of SSR)
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Works cited
Bailey, James. “What is the Meaning of Life? 15 Possible Answers—From a Palliative Care Doctor, a Holocaust Survivor, a Jail Inmate and more.” The Guardian. 22 March 2025.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/mar/22/what-is-the-meaning-of-life-15-possible-answers-from-a-palliative-care-doctor-a-holocaust-survivor-a-jail-inmate-and-more. Accessed 27 December 2025.
This article is an extract from The Meaning of Life: Letters from Extraordinary People and their Answer to Life’s Biggest Question, edited by James Bailey, April 2025.
Hopper, Elizabeth. “How Hope Helps Us Build a Meaningful Life.” Greater Good Magazine. 22 July 2025. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_hope_helps_us_build_a_meaningful_life. Accessed 27 December 2025.
Goodall, Jane. Interview with Brad Falchuk (March 2025). “In an Exclusive Interview, Dr. Jane Goodall Leaves Behind Her Last Words.” Netflix Tudum. 3 October 2025. https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/jane-goodall-famous-last-words-documentary. Accessed 20 October 2025.
Martin, Tiffany Yates. “Hope for the Holidays.” Foxprint Editorial. 25 December 2025. https://mailchi.mp/foxprinteditorial/hope. Accessed 25 December 2025.
Sarner, Moya. “Do You Feel Hopeless About Humanity? Look For the Good Things—And Build A Bridge Toward Them.” The Guardian. 13 January 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jan/13/do-you-feel-hopeless-about-humanity-look-for-the-good-things-and-build-a-bridge-towards-them?lid=b860goeunv00&utm_source=EMAIL&utm_medium=email_marketing&utm_campaign=MK_SU_USEOYHope261225&utm_term=Email_RecurringUSB&utm_content=Email_RecurringUSB. Accessed 26 December 2025.
Moya Sarner is an NHS psychotherapist and the author of When I Grow Up – Conversations With Adults in Search of Adulthood
