Here we are. The first hours of a new year, a new decade, and a new opportunity. It is a time for reflection and a time for commitments. A New Year gives us a chance to start anew and look forward. It gives us a chance to reflect on what we want to do differently this year and how we can better our worlds. The New Year is the place where we have an opportunity to set goals and do our best to achieve them before the next new year. Sure I could quit smoking cigarettes. I could vow to exercise more. I could promise myself that I will quit cursing so much or that I will learn to dance finally. All noble affairs and worthy of a resolution, but not for me. I am looking to a much bigger picture. A lofty ambition. A feat so large that only a resolution set forth on a new year of a new decade, in a newer century would be worthy of embracing its magnitude. What is it? What could be so massive? What is there that is worthy of such fanfare?

My resolution is simple. Are you ready? Here it is:

I WILL UNDERSTAND.

That is right. I vow to do a better job of understanding. Understanding the world I live in and the people who make up my life. I will attempt to grasp the concepts of the world that I often look past in haste and confusion. I will find meaning in those things that seem to make no sense. I will look to pass less judgement on those around me before truly exploring their ideas and methods of deduction in which they base their lives. I will look for the reasonableness of a situation and try to better understand not just why I agree or disagree with a particular situation, but what beliefs and traditions may have went into the development of these ideas. I will look to advance my knowledge on subjects I am unfamiliar with and become more of an expert in areas that confound me at times. I will accept facts as facts and explore areas that are undefined to give them real meaning and response. I will use the power of comprehension to examine the needs of the world I live in and learn more clearly how my actions impact those I come in contact with. I will attempt to find the significance in things and ask questions when I do not understand. I will look to be more sympathetic in my communications and learn to tolerate those I disagree with more easily by looking to understand their viewpoints. I look the the New year as one where I will make a concerted effort to better comprehend the people, places, and things that appear in my daily walk of life. 

See. I told you it was big. "To understand" seems simple enough, but when we think of all of the things we DON"T understand then we can begin to see what an accomplishment this could be. I believe if we all looked to better understand one another we would find avenues of commonality in which we could all thrive and maybe some of the pain and hurt feelings of the past would begin to subside. Maybe we would find ways of working more closely and effectively if we took the time to simply understand the people we interact with in our lives, the things that confound us, and the histories that have gotten us to this point. When you are attempting to understand the world, it is imperative to put aside your instinct to judge and condemn. One cannot truly understand something unless thy open their heart and mind to the possibility of really grasping ALL concepts of this crazy world. No one is saying that you have to agree with everything and everyone. God knows I won't be doing that. But if I can take the time to understand more clearly all aspects of the world and take in the thoughts, ideas, and actions that go into it, then I will at least be making more informed and well-thought decisions.

Yes. This year I WILL UNDERSTAND. Plain and simple, but as deep as the ocean and expansive as the Milky Way. A lesson in understanding is around every corner, in every communication, and in the face of our fellow man. This is my resolution. As I enter into a halfway house on January 5th, believe that my New year is not going to go as I had hoped, and that is okay. I will survive and I will make it. I always do. But in the process, I will grasp, interpret, reason, and show sympathy for the world I live in. I believe through working on understanding that I can change the world. I told you it was a lofty ambition, but the New Year is upon me and I am up for the challenge.

Happy New Year to you and yours from me and mine. May we meet for a moment of real understanding.

Here we are. 2009.  The anxiety of what will be is upon me and I look forward to the possibilities of this New Year.  We worked hard in 2008 to be here in 2009 and I plan on making the most of it.  I am still in a rebuilding phase, as I struggle to find my way financially, but my spirit is strong.  The world is changing, we hope for the best.  I feel truly blessed that I am not making plans to turn myself into prison (knock on wood) and that I am capable of looking forward to better days.  Please join us in our fight for justice and morality in the world of medical cannabis.  Although the country may be on a downhill economic slope, it seems that socially we should all be much better for the wear.  My new year wishes are that progress is made in the world of healthcare reform, that we find a path to a more peaceful and sensible world, and that Barck Obama pardons me for my role in providing safe and effective non-smoked forms of medical cannabis to the patients of California.  I hope that I can get back to life and get to visit my mother, whom is in Arizona missing me and her grandsons greatly.  My family in Colorado and Washington (in-laws) have also been deprived of our family visits, as this battle with justice has consumed our lives for many moons.  I would hope to put an end to this madness and get back to a normal and uneventful life :).  May all who have supported us on this journey be safe in this New Year.  2009 will be just fine.  Be good to someone you love and be good to yourselves.

The New Year is a time to reflect on the wonderful things of the year past and look forward with hope to the year future. Everyone can see the change and progress that we hope for and it is imperative that we continue to fight for what is right and moral. The year 2007 ended in a very difficult and trying manner, but it still was a good year. I saw the birth of my second son and finally got a chance to marry the love of my life. I had a great opportunity to advance the movement and was involved with many great projects throughout the year that raised awareness and brought about change. We hold our heads high for our resolution to make a difference in the perception of medical cannabis users everywhere and we look forward to the opportunity to be leaders of activism and a voice for injustice concerning patients and providers. The future is uncertain, as this unfounded and spiteful attack from the federal government on our community has come to a head. It is encouraging to hear that Rep. Conyers may take the DEA to task on their wasteful and aggressive attacks in medical cannabis states. It is hopeful to think that we may see real change in the electing of a new president that is hopefully more interested in ending wars than continuing down the same foolish path our nation has been on for too long. We hope that the pressure in Washington, the pressure here on the ground in California, and the pressure from activists and supporters nationwide will continue to bring about change in the way society views medical cannabis. It is hope that keeps us going and moving forward when the future looks ominous. It is the support of great people and the words of wise leaders that help us to navigate the course that is best for our families and our community. The end of the battle is near and as the DEA heightens its attacks on our communities we must stand up and say enough. We must all make a true and valiant effort to let our voices be heard. It is our duty to improve the lives of the world around and we deserve better. The DEA deserves better. Our nation deserves better. I call for an end to the lies and misconceptions that have shaped the viewpoint of cannabis. We need to remember that this community is strong in our numbers and it is our right to medicate in ways that we and our doctors see fit. The New Year is always filled with the hope of what could be, but it is important also to reflect on who we have been. Please join us in our quest to make a difference and help us to make 2008 a year of history and energy that carries us to freedom and liberty. I am proud to be surrounded by such a brave and dedicated group of individuals that have collectively stood up to tyranny and have made the case for change. You are all beautiful. Never stop believing in what a small group of concerned citizens can do to change the world.