As 2024 draws to a close, most of us typically take a little time to reflect on the events that shaped us over the last twelve months – and on the things we’d like to improve upon as we move forward. Personally, I’m always pondering how different people and groups can be more mature and effective in their interactions with others. So it’s in that spirit I offer the following “wish list” for the folks in my life who want to be more successful – and more human – in the 25th year of the 21st Century.
To my friends in leadership positions, I wish for you humility, empathy and openness. You need to be able to relate to your followers and your decision-making should be completely transparent.
Most importantly, the best way to garner the respect of those in your charge is to always check your ego at the door. People who are full of themselves generally make horrible leaders. To my conservative friends, I wish for you a deeper understanding of what conservatism is all about, especially as it relates to fiscal responsibility.
For decades, one of the fundamental tenets of conservatism was the belief expenditures shouldn’t exceed revenues. Economics 101. How about trying to get back to that principle? To my liberal friends, I wish for you the ability to get off your proverbial high horse and re- connect with the everyday citizens in a genuine and down-to-earth manner.
The poor and the middle class are not impressed by your fixation with celebrity and catering to the elites. If we want to see Springsteen or Beyonce, we’ll go to one of their concerts. If you want to know what’s best for us, ask.
To my journalism friends, I wish for you the ability to keep the pressure on anyone elected to office – or occupies a political position – at the local, state or national level.
The importance of a free press has never been more obvious or acute. So I encourage my friends Joe and Wes, as well as anyone charged with making sure the truth always comes out, to re- double their efforts to give voice to all sides of every issue.
To my parent friends, I wish for you the wisdom to let your kids learn how to deal with problems on their own, without you stepping in every time they encounter something challenging. If you are always rescuing your children when the going gets tough, don’t blame them when they become adults and don’t know how to solve problems or make decisions. To my younger friends, I wish for you older role models who can help you to overcome the inherent deficiencies in the way your parents raised you. Honestly, it’s not your fault you were never given the opportunity to make your own way or stand up for yourself when confronted with bullies and jerks. Finding someone who can show you what you’re up against should be a top priority. To my religious friends, I wish for you the ability to discern what true worship is all about. If you’re a Christian, for example, try to do a better job of distinguishing between doctrine, dogma, and what Jesus actually taught.
If your church is allocating more than 10 percent of your revenues on administrative overhead, you’ve probably gone astray. Jesus wants you to spend more on the poor and the needy and less on sound systems and salaries.
To my educator friends, I wish for you the capacity to focus more on teaching and less on facilitating, appeasing, or enabling. Your job is to be a teacher, not a babysitter or an entertainer. Ban cell phones on school property, demand that all students attend every class, fail anyone who doesn’t master the required content, and stop catering to weak administrators and overly protective parents.
Finally, to my friends with alternative lifestyles, I wish for you the patience and perseverance to deal with the ignorant, narrow-minded attitudes and behaviors of the intolerant and judgmental. First and foremost, know that there’s nothing wrong with you. You are not the problem – the people who equate “different” with “bad” are the true culprits. Hang in there; you are not alone. At this point, I know what you’re thinking. But there’s no need to thank me. If you’ll just do your part to make these wishes come true, that will be appreciation enough. Oh, and I wish for everyone a phenomenal New Year! Let’s make 2025 the best one yet.
— Aaron W. Hughey is a university distinguished professor in the Department of Counseling and Student Affairs at Western Kentucky University.