Fireworks in Tel Aviv. Photo: Oren Peles via Wikimedia Commons.

We come into 2016 with a degree of unease, as the world looks somewhat bleak at the moment. Terror attacks have become routine in Israel again, and the worldwide BDS movement is seeming to gather strength. ISIS seems to be getting bolder as it instills panic in Western nations throughout the world. And Russia, Ukraine, Syria, Iran and Turkey are among the nations currently engaged in heated military conflicts.

As President Barack Obama begins his last year in office, we hear the presidential candidates battle one another with negativity intended to heighten voter trepidation. Yet, with all the talk about a “foreign policy election” in 2016, few are paying attention to the American economy. We have global economic risks, beginning with China’s slowing growth, which is compounded by threats of more terrorism.

Still, we have reason to be hopeful. It is a new year and there is plenty to look forward to. Whether it is new technologies, new scientific breakthroughs, greater expectations for political change or an optimistic outlook for our economy and a more secure Israel, we should be appreciative for what we have and look ahead with hope for what we can expect.

Turkey is talking to Israel, saying it needs the Jewish state; Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is setting out to code true Artificial Intelligence; the New Star Wars movie was actually good; and the US will elect a new president in 10 months. A lot can happen in a short time to change the way we view the world ahead.

In Isaiah, 41:10, G-d says,” אַל-תִּירָא כִּי עִמְּךָ-אָנִי, אַל-תִּשְׁתָּע כִּי-אֲנִי אֱלֹהֶיךָ; אִמַּצְתִּיךָ, אַף-עֲזַרְתִּיךָ–אַף-תְּמַכְתִּיךָ, בִּימִין צִדְקִי” (Fear thou not, for I am with thee, be not dismayed, for I am thy G-d; I strengthen thee, I help thee; I uphold thee with My victorious right hand.)

Others have taken this notable declaration and added their own hopeful thoughts.

Here are 10 quotes I enjoy for hope in the New Year:

“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” William Faulkner

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Hope Smiles from the threshold of the year to come, Whispering ‘it will be happier’…” Alfred Lord Tennyson

“The biggest risk is not taking any risk… In a world that’s changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.” Mark Zuckerberg

“The more you dream, the farther you get.” Michael Phelps

“Change is inevitable, it’s what we make of those changes that determines our way forward.” David Milberg

“Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out.” John Wooden

“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” Warren Buffett

“Learn from mistakes, plan for the future, and obstacles become easier to overcome.”  Jonah Engler

“Everything negative — pressure, challenges — is all an opportunity for me to rise.” Kobe Bryant

The author, Ronn Torossian, hopes everyone’s 2016 is better than their 2015.