“As always, I find people’s varying feelings and thoughts about entering a new year on social media oh so intriguing. Some are excited and ready to “cannonball” right in, either out of a desire to build on the momentum of a great 2023 or to escape their 2023 downfall. Others speak of goal setting with such indifference it’s easy to question their sincerity. Though entering a new year with sober realism is wise, could their comments be a shadow of their defense mechanisms? Then, there are the reluctant, standing on the side of the pool, scared to jump in. Sure, 2024 is already going, but they don’t know if they should give in to its pull to hope again for new beginnings that lead to lasting change.”

It may be an honor to be the first, but it’s not easy. Here are a few words and a prayer for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.