The End or The Beginning

December 30, 2024

When I ask you the following question, what is your first response: Is it the end of the year or the beginning of a new year?

Frankly, since it is December 30^th, on a technical basis the objective and correct answer is: We are one day away from the end of the year and two days away from the beginning of the new year. 😊 But I asked this question in this fashion for another reason.

When I have surveyed people in the past with this question, the optimists in the room almost always said it is the beginning of the new year. That doesn’t mean you are a fatalist if you didn’t answer it that way, but truth be told, there is a clear link between optimism and health and happiness. Everywhere you turn you can bump headfirst into someone or something that is negative or trying to drag you down, so I want to make a continued pledge to you:

Keep reading my Monday Thoughts and I promise to lift you up always.

And, let me be maybe the first person to wish you an incredible and wonderful new year for 2025. May all your wishes and dreams come true and may you also lean into your commitment to do creative things in the new year.

Happy and healthy new year to you and your family.

Matt Ross

Matt Ross is the Founder of One River School of Art + Design. Since 2012, One River has grown from one location in Englewood, NJ to fifteen schools in six states with a goal to “transform art education” across America. Prior to One River School, Matt was the CEO of School of Rock, where he built the company into the world leader in music education for kids. Prior to his experience with School of Rock, Matt held a variety of management positions in broadcasting, working for diverse media companies such as Clear Channel, CBS and Viacom. He is also active in promoting Autism awareness and supporting emerging artists and is passionate about collecting Contemporary Art with a focus on painting, mixed media and drawing.