Image Credit @randyloftusphotos

The New Year is here, at last. For months, we couldn't wait to be done with 2020. And here we are. And yet, there's no magic. Have you seen the meme making it around the internet: "I'd like to cancel my subscription for 2021. I've experienced the 7-day free trial and I'm not interested." (LOL)

It seems the fog of heavy challenges of 2020 has followed us right into the New Year. We're weary and ready to turn the page. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Nevertheless, there are signs of new beginnings bringing better days ahead. The fog IS lifting.

On January 13th the 442nd Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly got underway. While it will look and feel very different this year, the start of the session marks the start of another season of opportunities to make Maryland a better place to live and work for everyone. (Check out  the past and present Chair of the Anne Arundel County Delegation, Senator Pam Beidle (FLG96) and Senator Sarah Elfreth).

Starting January 18, Anne Arundel County's Vaccination Phase 1B began rolling out with county residents who are age 75+.  Social media feeds are filled with images of first responders and front line workers with their vaccination shot images. The vaccine we wished for is here. It's happening. We have a rollout plan and we are on our way.

Wednesday, January 20th will mark another milestone as we witness the transfer of power to a new Presidential administration. Whatever your politics, this will bring new energy and approaches to challenges we've faced over the last year. With new leadership, comes new opportunities to collaborate and work together for the common good.

Indeed, I believe better days are coming; and yet, we still have a long road ahead. New strains of the virus bring new challenges. In some ways it may seem that "it gets worse before it gets better". Now, more than ever, we will need to lean on each other and support and celebrate our local leaders in the weeks and months ahead. When given the choice to critique or lend a hand, we must step up and offer that extra push to get us all on the other side of this difficult time. 

There is good news: The days are getting longer, the fog will lift and there will be better days ahead. And LAA will continue to provide opportunities to connect and gain strength from fellow leaders. This month, join us for a Leadership Speaker Series featuring Dr. Dawn Lindsay (ELS13), President of Anne Arundel Community College, in conversation with FLG95 Alumni, Larry Ulvila. Grab your lunch and log on to join LAA classmates and colleagues and get the second (or third, or fourth) wind you need to press on to #betterdaysahead.