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Publisher’s Note
It was 22 years ago when I arrived in Canada and chose Calgary, Alberta to be my home. Leaving my family and friends behind, it was a new adventure for me to be in a new country without knowing anyone. That was the time I looked for a Filipino community paper and never found any, [...]
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Page added on January 18, 2018

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Bringing Hope in the New Year

By Consuelo (Chit) E. Munar

The year 2017 has drawn to a close and a new year was ushered in. Many things, significant as well as insignificant, happened in the international scene. Thousands of asylum seekers from the US continue to pour in the Quebec-US borders. In the home front, the people of Calgary had extended their mandate to Mayor Nenshi for another term to lead the city administration. He must have done well that he won Calgarians’ trust and confidence. Having driven around the city lately, I evidently saw the tremendous development and growth of the city which showed a census rate of 250,000 in 1975, the year my family arrived to settle in. Truly remarkable.

People around the world brought in 2018, the new year, with much hoopla – made a lot of noise thru fireworks, perhaps fired guns and pealed church bells; threw elaborate parties, staged entertainment gigs and musical events .

Many New Year traditions, most of all, surround food. Primarily, families and friends come together, toast with bubbly champagne, sit around a table laden with specially prepared ring-shaped treats symbolizing “coming full circle” and leads to good fortune and money. Cultures and traditions vary in different parts of the world but almost all of them are meant to bring happiness, prosperity and good luck in the New Year.

What else could we bring in the new year? As we bade 2017 goodbye, we welcome hope for a bright new year to set in.

What does hope do for mankind? The famous author John C. Maxwell said, “Hope is a beautiful thing. It shines brightest when the hour is darkest. Hope motivates when discouragement sets in. Hope energizes when the body is tired. Hope endures hardship when no one is caring. Hope dares to give when no one is sharing. Hope climbs over obstacles when no one is helping. Hope brings the victory when no one is winning.”

January 20, 2009 marked an important day in America’s history when the first African-American, Barack Obama, became president of the United States. That day in America, hope was a beautiful thing. His campaign slogan, “Yes we can,” was on the lips of the people. That’s what hope does. It empowers you.

During World War II, Sir Winston Churchill was asked what was England’s greatest weapon versus the Nazis. He responded with one word: Hope. Churchill certainly was a leader of hope to his people. As the Nazis swept across Europe and mercilessly bombed England, the task of defeating Hitler and the Nazis seemed impossible. Yet, despite the odds against them, the British prevailed.

Therefore, Hope is a difference maker. We can use it to battle our losses when they seem to be mounting. It is powerful.

What does hope do for us? Again, John C. Maxwell asserts, “Hope discovers what can be done instead of what can’t be done; Hope regards problems, small or little, as opportunities; Hope opens doors where despair closes them.”

Embrace hope to keep working to get better tomorrow than you are today and to reach your potential and fulfill your promise. Make use of the difference maker: Hope.

Consuelo (Chit) E. Munar is the past president of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Alberta (UPAAA) 2012-2015. Currently, she’s the Chairperson of the Stewardship Committee at the Holy Trinity Parish Church. She also chairs the Catholic Women’s League Committee of Legislation and Resolutions of Holy Trinity Parish CWL Council.

Bringing Hope in the New Year

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