Well, it’s the last day of 2016, and I for one, am glad it’s just about over. While this past year has had it’s good moments, it’s also had it’s share of bad. I get a lot of feedback and such, not to mention what I see on social media, and it seems like a lot of people out there had a hard time in 2016. I get it, I really do.
Every year at this time, I sit and ponder the previous 12 months, and wonder what the coming year will bring. There is always a feeling of hope that goes with those thoughts. In previous years, I’d start thinking about planning a Disney trip for the coming Summer, just to have something to look forward to. Now that we’re Disney locals, those plans change, but there is always Disney involved regardless. Even with the hard times of 2016, most of my good memories do involve Disney somehow. Sometimes we just need to go there to escape the reality of daily life, and I can’t think of a better escape. I’m sure some of you out there agree. Disney has a way of making us forget our problems, and just be carefree, and it’s a great feeling. As for planning trips, it’s about hoping for good times, and having things to dream about and make plans around. Also good. Yes, I’m trying to focus on the positive.
2016 started off somewhat mild, and is going out like a wicked storm that people are still reeling from. It’s been a villain of Chernabog like proportions. People have had losses of all kinds…. whether it be financial or personal. I have too. So, what do we do? How do we keep moving forward with some hope that 2017 will be better? Well, we have to be brave, find the good in things, and just keep trying. Adversity can be overcome, and there is always hope for a better tomorrow. We can fight. We can be strong.
We lost a lot of beloved celebrities in 2016, and as you know, one of them was Carrie Fisher, our Princess Leia. Her passing shocked the Disney community, and Star Wars fans everywhere are in disbelief. While researching a bit about Carrie Fisher, I came across the quote above. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow.” That really struck a nerve with me. At first, it hit home because it reminded me of how it felt to start TMSM, and then move across the country even though I was afraid. I just did it. But after giving it more thought, this quote can really apply towards the coming year. If you think about it, we don’t have to be confident that we can succeed and make things better, but we can be BRAVE enough to keep pushing and to face our fears anyway. No one knows what the future will bring, but having hope and facing things head on is a great approach. Carrie Fisher wasn’t only a kick butt kind of girl in Star Wars, she was the same in real life, by overcoming her demons and rising above. That’s admirable. That’s how I’m trying to psych myself up to be when thinking of 2017. Regardless of the fear or worry, we got this. It will indeed be ok.
So, here we are, saying goodbye (and good riddance) to 2016. It’s been rough, but we’re here. We will always keeping trying to do more, to do better, to have hope. On my part, I will continue to do what I can to share the magic of Disney on a daily basis this coming year. I never know who could possibly really use that bit of cheer, and helping put smiles on faces is something we always try to do at TMSM, regardless of what’s going on in our own lives. Disney magic really can help lighten the mood or give people a much needed smile in their heart. Thank you all for being such a support system to TMSM this past year, it’s always appreciated. To those of you who also struggled in 2016, we made it, it’s almost over, and we have hope for 2017 and will face it together. Wishing you all a safe, magical, blessed and Happy New Year! ~Michele
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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