At the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31, we are all going to become better people. We are all going to begin exercising, stop eating junk food, be kinder to people, give more to charities, call our family, keep our desks neater, and actually slow down at yellow lights. Well, this is true for all of us who will be making New Year’s resolutions.

In addition to the trite, though necessary, resolutions we will make again this year, let’s all challenge ourselves to resolve to step beyond the fences in our own backyards and consider how we can help lives in the New River Valley. We do not have to commit to saving the entire Valley. If we all made some minor changes, we would better ourselves and help our hometowns become better places. Here are a few examples of resolutions that sum up much of what this column has been about since the inception of this publication—ringing the alarm for justice and growing as a person in the process.

Shopping locally is something that does not have to wait until Dec. 31. We can all start this now as we frenzy around with last-minute Christmas shopping. I feel that many activists, including myself, have possibly done this cause a disservice with the approach we have taken. Many of us have gone to great lengths trying to convince the public how evil these large box stores are rather than touting the goodness of our locally owned businesses. There are obvious advantages and a few good things to be found with these chains, but there is something missing.

As a resident of Radford, I challenge anyone to stop by a local Radford store when doing your holiday shopping. Look for the friendly service with a smile from someone who actually knows the merchandise. I know many of the people who own and work in these places. These folks have intentionally set up shop in Radford to better our community by keeping the money local. They cannot do it without your business. And similar local businesses exist all over the Valley—in Blacksburg and Pulaski, Pearisburg and Floyd. We are lucky to have so many great small businesses from which to choose.

Once we have fulfilled our shopping locally resolution, we can strive to serve our area by having more of a say in the political arena. A little resolve can go a long way. Studies show that if an elected official receives just eight handwritten letters regarding a policy, it will persuade action. The mention of human justice struggles, environmental issues, and other related concerns of our area have been ambient in this paper from its beginning. Perhaps this is the year that we all take up our pens and write a few letters to our state legislators. The New Jersey legislation is showing signs that they are ready to scrap the death penalty. We have a governor who has spoken against the death penalty. Maybe this is the legislative term that we, the citizens of the New River Valley, can lead the charge in putting an end to the killing.

Finally, let’s resolve to give more of our time this year toward meaningful activities. Rather than sitting in front of the TV night after night watching shows about other people’s lives, how about getting out there and living our own lives? Get involved in the New River Valley—many services are needed, and many groups need your volunteer hours. These opportunities will not hunt you down; you need to put yourself out there.

A happy New Year to all readers and my hopes that we will all get out there and make a difference in this coming year. Remember, you do not have to go to the far stretches of this earth to make a difference. There is plenty to do right here.

Rick Robers is a middle school teacher in the New River Valley. He hopes for peace on Earth this New Year’s Day.