To say that many of us have been dreading 2025 is an understatement. In the United States, the prospect of a felon taking the highest office and filling important positions with ignorant lackeys is beyond grim. The expected effect of this incompetent regime on our democracy is nothing short of terrifying. The days of intelligence, competence, and decency—not to mention the rule of law—seem to be nearly at an end.

Even before we reach this nadir, horribleness surrounds us. Barely a few hours into the new year, a motorist drove at high speed into a crowd in New Orleans, killing fifteen people and injuring dozens more. In Honolulu, a fireworks accident just before midnight killed at least three people and injured twenty. Still another person died when a cybertruck exploded in Las Vegas. And around the world, other governments seem to be descending into their own pit of chaos.

Here in southern New England, the first day of the year was largely gray and still. My primary accomplishment of the day was to put up new smoke/CO2 detectors and to spackle the holes left by the old braces. I spent the evening transferring appointments and important dates from my 2024 calendars to my 2025 calendars. The day was quiet and uneventful, as I expected.

But what I didn’t expect was a glimpse of light, of hope and encouragement.

This glimpse came in the form of an email from someone who had read State v. Claus. It seems that her parents purchased a copy when I was at an author event late in October, and she read and enjoyed it. With enormous kindness and generosity, she then went to my website and used the contact form to send me a note thanking me for the book and letting me know the effect it had had on her.

A simple note from a stranger, consisting of a single paragraph. And she completely made my day. The experience was at once humbling and exhilarating.

And it made me think.

What if we all made it our practice to let someone know when their work has a positive effect on us? What if we took a few minutes after reading a book or listening to music to go to the website of the author, composer, or performer and let them know we enjoyed their work? What if we posted some encouraging words on social media after watching an athlete play an excellent game? What if we took the time to leave a good review after a meal at a local restaurant? What if we thanked all these people for sharing their talents and making our lives a bit nicer? Or what if we sent texts to friends and loved ones when they made our days better by something they said or did?

What if we went out of our way to create moments of light for other people?

I don’t know what your position is on making resolutions for a new year, but here’s an idea: instead of resolving to lose weight or stop smoking or organize your linen closet, what if we all resolved that this year, we will let others know we appreciate them? Because in a time when it might be far too easy to succumb to the darkness, we still have the ability to make someone else’s day a little brighter.

You can trust me on that.