Thanks to the many readers who have provided thoughtful comments to us in our reader survey. The survey forms are still coming in strong as I write; I plan to share the results within the next couple of months. Your comments are always welcome, and are most helpful as I continue to shape the form and content of The New Times.

Looking back, I see that huge changes have occurred at The New Times, just as in nearly every facet of my world. In the face of so much change, the future seems less clear, and things often feel just plain chaotic. Here's why I think that can be good for me: I believe that I must let go and embrace change and the chaos that it feels like it brings. This isn't easy for me. My comfort zone has always included having my life well organized, so it takes work for me to recognize change as the fodder for new creation.

I could make a long list of things that must be changed: humanity's increasingly negative impact on our planet cannot continue unabated; the ghastly oppression not only in faraway places, but, perhaps more covertly, in our very midst; the growing gap between the rich and the poor.

In the face of all of this, I feel quite small. Even in my role at The New Times, I often feel like the guy at the water plant who works to make sure that the water is always there for the consumer and that the impurities are filtered out, just doing his job quietly behind the scenes. I'm that guy, making sure that The New Times is there for the consumer and ensuring that it is of the highest quality I can provide.

So what can I do to make this a better, brighter year? I sure don't have a complete understanding about the many problems and the possible solutions. I am too busy working, so it is easy for me to feel that I don't have the ability or time to do anything about the huge problems of the world. But I also know that I cannot simply use that as an excuse to ignore the negativity in my world. Even if I took a wrong action, would that be worse than doing nothing and watching from the sidelines?

I can take stock of what I do have, what I can do. Are there ways that I can work in the background and still do very powerful things? Are there resources that I haven't tapped? Am I willing to bring greater spirituality into all aspects of life, my life? Can I tap into the power of intent in more powerful ways? Can I be a better listener during my prayer time? What can I do to create more balance in my life and create more prayer time? What am I willing to see? Am I willing to see the truth, even if I won't like what I see?

As I contemplate doing what I can to make this a better, brighter year, I'll start by opening up to manifesting a greater spiritual destiny for myself, and focus on being the best person I can be. I plan to use the insight offered by the diverse group of New Times writers as an important resource in my journey.