As 2017 comes to a close, many individuals use this time of year as a moment of reflection. In fact, reflecting on the past is a healthy way to make better informed decisions about the future and to grow as an individual.

According to the American Institute for Learning and Human Development, Dr. Thomas Armstrong said there are 12 stages of the human life cycle. These stages include pre birth, birth, infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, late childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, midlife, mature adulthood, late adulthood and death/dying.

All stages are of equal importance. While we may not all end our journey in the same stage, it is certain we all start the same.

“When a child is born, it instills in its parents and other caregivers a sense of optimism; a sense that this new life may bring something new and special into the world,” said Strong. “Hence, the newborn represents the sense of hope that we all nourish inside of ourselves to make the world a better place.”

I believe hope is one of the most profound expectations we can have for ourselves. Hope allows us to set goals, aim high and channel inner ambitions.

Looking back over the last year, there have been many projects in Charlotte County which came to be, simply based on the idea of hope. Of course, hope should instill the necessary confidence to make a plan and set it into action. But initially, all dreams start with a little hope.

This year, the county saw the completion of the Louse Creek Bridge, the successful pilot of the TV White Space Project in Charlotte and Halifax, the approval of a conditional use permit for a proposed 9,100-square-foot Dollar General store in Wylliesburg and the approval of the county’s first solar farm in Drakes Branch.

While 2017 was not without its challenges, it’s much like Chinese philosopher Confucius said: “Study the past if you would define the future.”

It’s never too late to shape your future. Learn from the mistakes, take risks, overcome challenges and fight for what you believe in. The past is only as valuable as the decisions we make going forward.

Italia Gregory is community editor of The Charlotte Gazette. Her email address is Italia. Gregory@TheCharlotteGazette.com.