I’m posting this on December 30, 2020, for one simple reason…I want to officially say “good bye and good riddance” to 2020. I very honestly can NOT think of any other of the 74 years that I have roamed this earth that has sucked so profoundly.

That’s not to say that I personally have had bad stuff happen. To the contrary, this past year has been filled with cool things…recorded podcasts for PR colleagues both in the U.S. and the U.K...guest presenter for PRSA Maryland’s annual conference…a gazillion letters to the editor published in the New York Times, the Tampa Bay Times and the Taipei Times.

More important, though, was being able to provide advice and guidance to a growing number of my University of Tampa students. Love being asked, both directly and indirectly, “What should I do?” As I’ve said so many times over the years, I was blessed with an internship supervisor, Clinton Parks, at the official beginning of my public affairs/public relations career. Clint went above and beyond to help each and every one of his 20-plus US Army Training and Doctrine Command Public Affairs interns, and I, for one, will never forget his kindness.

Since that time (1977 to be exact), I have made it part of my overall mission, whatever I was doing, to offer my own insights to countless young men and women who have turned to me for assistance. And my reward has been seeing so many of them get a firm foothold on their own career ladders and do amazing things.

So what lies ahead? Well, last time I checked, the earth was still spinning…a little shakily, maybe, but spinning. The sun continues to come up every day with a whole warehouse of opportunities for each and every one of us. It’s up to us, though, to take the initiative and do something with them.

My advice? Be active in your community. Be involved in your professional organization(s). Don’t just show up…DO something! It’s a whole new year, and we have another chance to make a difference…in our own and in others’ lives. Make it happen!

And Happy New Year!!