January 1st, 2017.

The first day of a new year, full of family cheer, resolutions, and collard greens and black-eyed peas (y’all feel me?). For the past few years, I’ve spent my NYE celebration in the lively city of Charlotte, and each of them were beyond eventful to say the least. This year I decided to stay within the city of Raleigh, and immerse myself in the capital city experience.

The first stop (or last depending on where you started), was the “Resolution Oak Tree”. Citizens, both young and old, waltzed down to the table and wrote their resolutions upon a small strip of colorful tape. Afterwards, they then hung them along the railing, providing leaves for the mechanical tree. As the frigid wind blew through the strips, the wishes of the entire city flapped their wings, slowly rising to the heavens.

Along the pathway was another place to write their desires, however, this was reserved for goals over changes. The entries were numerous and each of them were written by hands who truly believe in achieving those dreams.

As the Gregorian calendar resets once again, take a moment to look around you. Examine your surroundings: the corners of your room, the sidewalk below your rapidly moving feet, the wrinkled sheets that wrap your bed, how will they change over the next year? How will you change them? By acting. The idea of a new year equaling a fresh start has become outdated (let’s all admit it to ourselves). Instead, try treating each day as New Year’s Eve (minus the pursuit of a midnight kiss) and set daily or weekly resolutions rather than one for the year. As moments move forward and dreams come within your grasp, take a moment to pause to see how you are capable of changing you, and in turn, your world. Remember, only action can bring about a resolution.

Be sure to check out the rest of the images on my Flickr page: First Night Album.

Fin,