It has been said that to everything there is a season and a time to every purpose.

With a season of celebration behind us – from Christmas breaks to Bulldogs playing national championships late into the night – it is time to return to school, to work and to go about our daily routines.

For there is much to be done.

Today marks the end of the holidays for many people.

Most adults have returned to their jobs.

Schools re-opened last week and this week and students have returned to classes.

We have rung in a new year.

We cheered our Dawgs.

Now, it is time to make this year work.

Or more appropriately, it is time we get to work to make this year better.

The economic situation has improved in more recent times, but nothing is guaranteed. Gas prices have fallen. The job market is strengthened.

But nothing should be taken for granted.

So, we must work.

We must toil. We must educate ourselves. We must be ready to adapt. We must relearn the forgotten magic of striving. We must strive.

Strive to do more with less, strive to learn from our mistakes, strive to better understand the world at home and abroad.

For everything there is a season.

Now, is the season to work and strive.

We hope to benefit a bountiful harvest, but to reap these rewards, we must work.

Though maybe we should stress striving next week. After all, there’s the three-day weekend coming up with the Martin Luther King holiday Monday.

So, perhaps, next Tuesday is the time to strive. Nonetheless, the season to work is here.