Hopes for 2023 include calm, love, peace, health and acceptance

Native American Julie Castillo is striving for more calm this year.
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The new year is upon us, and you know what that means: It’s time for resolutions.

Resolutions are defined as firm decisions to do or not to do something. Exercising more ranks high, and so do eating better, losing weight and managing time. Many resolve to improve their lives every January, then in February, end up going back to their tried-and-true routine. It’s human nature. It’s hard to adapt to new habits and chart a new lifestyle. Most resolutions end up short-lived.

This year, NJ Advance Media asked people to share their hopes instead. Hope is to desire with the expectation of obtainment or fulfillment. Hope is a positive state of mind and something we do every day, all year. Hope is intrinsic to humanity.

Here are the 2023 hopes of people we spoke with in downtown Cranford yesterday as the sun, moon, earth and galaxies spun another year out of this immaculate universe.

Julie Castillo - artist

“I want more calm in my life and in this world. Being a Native American, I see a lot of prejudice. I try to respond to it with calm through my art. There is too much pain in this world, and I want to be an instrument of calm.”

Carolyn Acevedo - college graduate

“I just got a new job and want to settle in and be more effective with my time. I would also love to read more novels and, of course, have a healthier year.”

Leah Peticolas is seeking more balance in her life, with husband Joe Pucciarelli and daughters Amelia and Clara

Leah Peticolas - videographer

“I would like to achieve a better family and work balance. My business is demanding, and I would like to dedicate more time to my family. I would also like to be more consistent in date nights with my husband.”

Eman Rashed is seeking more personal happiness this year.

Eman Rashed - cardiologist

“This year, I would like to prioritize my happiness. I’ve had a stressful transition to becoming a cardiologist, and I want to reduce my workload and pay more attention to me and to my family.”

Ryan Markowski will strive for more direction in the new year.

Ryan Markowski - barista

“I really want to have direction in my life this year. I love being a barista at Track 5 Coffee here in Cranford. At the same time, I want to know what to do with the rest of my life.”

Rosanna Lyons - councilwoman

“I’ve just been elected to the city council of Roselle Park, and I get sworn in on January 2nd. I want to see more communication and connections in my precious community.”

Now with the pandemic behind us, Filomena Coccaro would like to grow her business at Ciao Amici.

Filomena Coccaro - travel coordinator

“I’ve been growing my business here at Ciao Amici for 12 years, and I would like to continue that. Traveling abroad is coming back after the pandemic, which caused us to offer language and pasta-making classes at the time.”

Lenny Stein is grateful this year.

Lenny Stein - real estate broker

“This world has become so divisive, and I hope we continue to debate topics in a civil manner...Oh, one more, I want to learn how to play the guitar.”

Olivia Campbell would like more consistency in her life this year.

Olivia Campbell - medical resident

“Working as a medical resident is tough. I would like to be more consistent in all aspects of my life, personal and professional.”

Rachel Papa - teacher

“As an eighth-grade teacher at Morris Plains Middle School, I see that acceptance is hard for some students to attain. I would like to see more of it, acceptance.”

Kristen Cheatum - learning coordinator

“I want to be more present, in the moment. In the past, I have been too much of a perfectionist. This year I want to pay more attention to what matters in life.”

Arman Sharbatdaran would like for peace to dwell in his country of Iran, as well as this world.

Arman Sharbatdaran - medical resident

“I want to see peace in my country of Iran, especially now with all the strife women are going through just to be equal. Freedom and peace are so dear to me, and I want my people in Iran to have them.”

What are your hopes for the new year?

Karim Shamsi-Basha may be reached at kshamsi-basha@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter & Instagram. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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