“I really don’t think life is about the I-could-have-beens. Life is only about the I-tried-to-do. I don’t mind the failure but I can’t imagine that I’d forgive myself if I didn’t try.”
– Nikki Giovanni
For 2025, I challenge us to embrace the wisdom of poet Nikki Giovanni: “Life is only about the I-tried-to-do.”
January marks a time for fresh starts and bold resolutions. It’s a month filled with possibility—a blank page awaiting the stories we’ll create. But often, hesitation, fear, or doubt keeps us from trying. This year, let’s change that.
Whether it’s pursuing a dream, strengthening a relationship, or making a difference in our community, the act of trying is what defines our growth. Success or failure is secondary. What matters is that we dared to act.
As your Wash Park magazine, we’re here to celebrate those efforts. In this issue, you’ll find stories of people who said “yes” to new opportunities, explored uncharted paths, and, in doing so, inspired others to do the same.
So, remember: it’s not about what you could have been. It’s about what you can do now. Here’s to a year of courageous tries and boundless possibilities.
Your neighbors,
Shaleen and Sam DeStefano