2009: A Year for Unity?

New Year's Eve 2008- as I listened to John Lennon's perpetually moving anthem "Imagine" and watched the ball drop on Times Square, the writer in me couldn't help but to think of how to describe the moment. One word immediately popped into my head: unity. Over a million revelers from all corners of the globe braved the brisk New York air to stand outside and celebrate the new year, closing out 2008 and ringing in 2009. Despite all we face in the world, humanity always comes together to celebrate a fresh start. In many ways, that's what a new year represents. It's a second chance; we can wipe the slate clean, turn over a new leaf, open up another chapter in life. I think this feeling of starting anew provokes an even stronger than usual resonance for 2009. With our world in a precarious state on so many levels and a new US president inspiring both supporters and detractors alike to create change, that sentiment is definitely on everyone's minds.
At times like these, there is also a dire need for unity in the world. I know it is an age-old wish and cliché observation, but it makes sense in context. This is especially true in Israel, where the resurgence of Hamas/Israeli airstrikes in Gaza marks yet another challenge in the peace process. Many Mideast experts believe a Two-State Solution, where the West Bank and Gaza would become an independent Palestinian state, is no longer feasible. It will require much more tenacity from regional leaders, the two factions of the Palestinian government to somehow work together, and the United States and European Union to "give Hamas a chance", so to speak. This is just one scenario where unity must be achieved to make way for any progress whatsoever.
Often, unity seems like a pipe dream that can never fully prevail. The chaos, bloodshed, suffering, etc. that plagues the world will always continue, no matter how pretty people will make it sound, how much they try to escape it, or how hard they work to make it a reality. Society inevitably comes with strings attached, differences that can never be resolved. But in many respects, just the thought of unity, the idea that perhaps we can come together and save more people from falling into the traps of turmoil, can drive us to better advancements.
So, here's to a prosperous and plentiful 2009. Time is always moving forward, and you never know what's coming. Even though we live in dismal times, 2008 was quite a ride; 2009 should be a hell of a year as well. Cheers!
(update: "Imagine" partly speaks of unity too. I can't believe I forgot about that connection. =D)