Auld Lang Syne -Dougie MacLean(With Lyrics-English Translation)1/1/2025 annual update in description

Update January 1, 2025 (Tonga Standard Time):

I first posted this 13 years ago, and I remain deeply humbled and profoundly grateful for all of you who continue to share this New Year’s tradition with me and our global community. Thank you for your kind comments and contributions to this growing global community.

PLEASE POST TO THE COMMUNITY: We are a global family united by this moment of reflection and hope. Please share something you are grateful for, or words of encouragement to others. Together, we can lift each other up and take a cup of kindness for the days of Auld Lang Syne.

NYE is A Time for Reflection :
New Year’s Eve is a time to reflect on the year gone by and the hopes we place in the year ahead. In 2024, the world continued to grapple with both beauty and hardship. Climate change’s effects were undeniable with record-breaking wildfires and extreme weather events, while global tensions in several regions caused untold suffering.

However, humanity also found moments of light:

-Groundbreaking medical advances,
For example in 2024, gene therapy at a Boston hospital allowed five previously deaf children to hear, marking a significant advancement in medical science.

-Communities rallying to support displaced populations. Such as the World Bank Group takings steps to support development programs that improve the lives of refugees and host communities, emphasizing sustainable solutions.

-Also in 2024 there has been historic global commitment to preserving biodiversity. For example, environment ministers from the G20 nations agreed to support the creation of funding sources for ecosystem services, backing proposals for forest conservation.

This duality reminds us why Auld Lang Syne has remained in our hearts for over 200 years. It speaks to connection—the enduring ties of loyalty, friendship, kindness, and love that bind us to one another, even in times of loss or distance. It also celebrates the resilience of the human spirit, our ability to hold on to hope and work toward a brighter future.

LOOK FOR THE HELPERS: As a wise person once said, “Look for the helpers. There will always be helpers… Because if you look for the helpers, you’ll know there’s hope.” From firefighters battling unprecedented blazes to young innovators creating sustainable solutions, there are countless examples of people bringing light into the darkness.

BE THE HELPERS: As we look toward 2025, I encourage you to be the helpers. Be the hope. Lift up those around you, offer comfort to those in despair, and create moments of gratitude and joy in your own sphere of influence. Each small act of kindness adds up to something profound.

As we say goodbye to 2024 and welcome a new year, let us carry forward the spirit of compassion, courage, and connection. Take a moment to reflect on those who have touched your life and the ways you can make a difference in others’ lives.

Wishing everyone a blessed, healthy, and peaceful 2025. Live fully and leave only love in your wake.

With gratitude,
Saminnyc