Editor’s note: We asked readers to submit what their hopes are for the new year. Here is a selection of those letters. We will publish the remainder on Friday.
Equal participants
We are living in very turbulent times in these United States. The political divisiveness of our citizens has become extremely dangerous as evidenced by the killing of Charlie Kirk as well as the throngs of threats made toward our political leaders. It is my wish that we the people, in order to live in a more perfect union, will recognize the pain and destruction that we are promulgating by the belief that “our opinion” is the only opinion that is correct and just.
It is my wish that we will be able to understand and respect that there are many differences between people with many different views. This should not make us enemies but rather equal participants in a process that will allow us to have a better, stronger and more unified country.
It is also my wish that somehow, some way, the tragedy of the war between Russia and Ukraine will end with respect, dignity and a reasonable way forward for the millions of Ukrainians who have had their world turned upside down through no fault of their own. It is my wish that the world will stand in unison with Ukraine and find the ways and means to convince Russian President Vladimir Putin that he cannot just decide to take 20% of Ukraine just because he can. While this wish may be in futility, it saddens me to see the world so intimidated by the threat of an escalation of war by Putin that we do not really do anything militarily to put an end to the invasion and the continued killing.
I wish that little children could somehow be prevented from ever becoming afflicted with devastating health problems. To see a newborn baby come into this world and then shortly thereafter be diagnosed with a life-threatening health problem is one of the most heart-wrenching experiences.
It is my wish that someday, the world will be at complete peace where all countries are friendly and respectful toward one another, all working together to make the world a better place.
— Dave Roberts, Frankfort
Need for empathy
I hope people will be more empathetic toward the plight of others in the new year. I’ve been thinking about my own life. I’ve been fortunate to be seen as a “good person” and lucky that certain moments broke in my favor. But I know that if a few things had gone differently, I might not be regarded that way, even if my choices had been the same.
As a young adult, I sometimes walked out of restaurants and bars tipsy and drove home. Nothing terrible happened, but it easily could have. A slightly different night, a somewhat different turn, and I could have been responsible for real harm.
In college, I used illegal recreational drugs, occasionally carrying amounts that could have brought serious legal trouble. That phase ended quickly, but luck played a far larger role than judgment.
And as a baby boomer living through the sexual revolution, I participated freely and rarely thought about consequences. I could have fathered a child with someone I barely knew. Once again, fortune protected me from outcomes that would have reshaped my life.
So when I see people on the news, handcuffed and charged with driving under the influence or drug possession, or failing to meet obligations such as child support, I cast no stones. I’ve come to see that many of them are no different from me. Their lives collided with the consequences that mine happened to miss.
Empathy begins with acknowledging how thin that line can be: “There but for the grace of God go I.”
— Scott Thompson, Bloomington, Indiana
More introspection
My hope for the new year is to see a change in how society addresses so many of the loud issues that face us in our daily lives. I’d love to see people become more introspective. Let’s spend some quiet time with ourselves and our thoughts. While we sit in traffic, wait for appointments, stand in line or sit on the couch relaxing after a long day.
Let’s quiet our minds. Look inside ourselves. Look at our hearts. Look into our souls. Let’s try to correct the negative and mean thoughts and ideas in our heads and hearts that infiltrate every part of our interactions with others during our daily routine.
Look in a mirror. Really see your reflection for its true self. Let go of bitterness. Let go of meanness. Let go of labels. Everyone in the world does not and should not be defined by their political leanings, their race, their gender, their beliefs.
Let’s take ownership of the way we put others in a box, only seeing them in the way our mind has labeled them. We are responsible for making changes for the better in our hearts, minds and souls. Let’s try to have humble feelings for others. Take a moment to ponder politeness. Work on being courteous.
Maybe let’s put the feelings of others before our own. I’m thinking of the good old days of kindness and genuine caring. Let’s value each other’s thoughts.
I hope we can all enter 2026 making the effort to spend quiet time with ourselves and making the changes that need to be made in our minds, hearts and souls. Let’s start by looking in the mirror.
— Carol Hausmann, Tinley Park
Peaceful coexistence
My hope for 2026 is that we can find a way to end the online radicalization that is generating targeted mass shootings and terror attacks. Let us also put an end to the antisemitism that is sweeping across the globe. Even though we may not agree with each other’s ideology, we must find a way to coexist in peace.
— JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater, Florida
Respect and cordiality
I’m a Cubs fan because I was raised that way. One of my favorite childhood gifts was a jacket emblazoned with “Ernie Banks MVP ‘58 & ‘59.” Dad told me we were lucky to have two baseball teams and we should support them both. He also insisted we be respectful of others.
So I go out of my way to be genial toward fans of other teams visiting the Friendly Confines. Some of our most senior elected officials might want to take Dad’s advice and treat members of the other party with respect and adopt a more cordial tone.
My hope is that political discourse in 2026 focuses on solutions, not accusations and fabrications.
— Jerry Levy, Deerfield
Possibility of change
In thinking about what can give hope in 2026, I think of what has provided hope already: Those who took a stand this year for those in need. Those who provided shelter, protection and solidarity for people who were at risk of arrest and deportation. Those who made sure that these people would not be ignored or forgotten.
This will carry over into the new year; we will continue to see those in need as our neighbors. I hope to attend another “No Kings” rally in the new year and have the chance to deepen my involvement and solidarity with those who care and those in need. That rallies are planned for the new year gives a true sense of hope. Lake Street Church in Evanston portrayed federal agents as shepherds in its Nativity scene, a very powerful symbol of the possibility that these agents can be a part of the grander picture of belonging: There’s a place for everybody, and change is possible. That was a very inspiring thing to see.
My faith will give me hope; it did this year, the true blessing that it was. I wish to continue to change into the person I’m meant to be, to grow from strengths and let go some more of what no longer serves me. I hope for those in my life to have this as well.
I hope that our president and those who answer to him will look at what is bigger than all of us, rather than what serves in the moment or a particular agenda.
I know that change is possible; we can bring that source of hope.
— Mandy May, Skokie
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/01/letters-010126-hope-new-year/
