Although the first year of the new millennium is not officially here – the true first year is 2001 – it is never too early to start thinking about what we want future generations to see when they look back at the start of the 21st century.

Saturday, January 01, 2000

Although the first year of the new millennium is not officially here – the true first year is 2001 – it is never too early to start thinking about what we want future generations to see when they look back at the start of the 21st century.

Of course, there will be technological advancements. There is no way to predict just what scientific breakthroughs the next century will reveal. The hallmark of this new era is that nothing will remain static for long.

And there will be new horizons to explore. After all, there is a whole universe out there just waiting to be discovered. Could the Jetsons be far behind?

But one of the most important goals for the next 100 or 1,000 years should include perspective.

The rapidity of the change we will face in the coming years necessitates that we have a strong base in our communities and our families. Work will be important, but our children will need us more than ever as human contact is increasingly eliminated by computers and automated processes.

While our new century will force us to look at the world through new eyes every day, there will be a need, too, for the values, compassion and understanding that make us strong.

Setting priorities and knowing what really matters will be increasingly critical to forming relationships, raising children and creating a new generation of leaders.

And that is one resolution we cannot afford to neglect.