Here we are in a new year. My wish for 2026 is not just to my family, friends, and acquaintances, but for all the people throughout the world. I know it may sound naive and simple but it’s heartfelt. Wouldn’t it be wonderful and sensible for all of us to live in peace? For all of us to extend love and kindness because we are all connected if we choose to believe that. But even if we don’t believe in that, I feel it in my gut we can all choose kindness toward our fellow humans. I am a firm believer that even a small act of kindness, one peaceful action, small or big, toward making a change in our world creates a ripple effect. That ripple connects to other similar ripples, which eventually will become a huge wave to create the change. We must remain vigilant in choosing our ripples. We want it to be from our hearts. It is helpful to consider The Golden Rule of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” when we take an action or put out a thought to create our ripple. So, my wish to all is for good mental and physical health, abundance, creativity, laughter, joy, peace, love, and all the good we all deserve.
Toward the end of every December, there is a great deal of talk about New Year’s resolutions. This idea goes back to ancient times. I am not going into that here but will link at the end.
When January arrives, we are inundated with ideas of what we should be doing: resolutions, setting goals, making lists of what we want to change, lists of what not to do. Because it is so talked about on television, on the radio, on social media and so on, a person can become overwhelmed. It all sounds as though we have to reinvent ourselves to change.
Of course, there is the appeal of a new year, a new slate. However, as I grew older, what I have learned from life is that change did not begin in January with making a New Year’s resolution. For me, as an immigrant child, I was making changes without making a resolution—the changes came as I faced a loss or had to make choices without a plan, only a firm belief in a good end-result. I suppose I was setting intentions and following through on them without knowing it.
After hearing the hype about New Year’s resolutions, I remind myself that January is not necessarily a time to make big announcements of changes to come nor a time of a long list of “don’ts”, but a time of reflection and gratitude:
• Recounting all that went well.
• Acknowledge where improvement is necessary.
• Start with baby steps so as not to overwhelm yourself.
• Keep track of your progress.
• Be willing to reassess and adjust accordingly.
Remember, if you do not have a January resolution, you don’t have to have one; you don’t have to reinvent yourself. You can choose to be happy about all the good that got you here and to move forward one step at a time with hope and intention.
What propels me forward has stood by me since I was orphaned at ten. My gut feeling is that the good I deserve is just ahead. With resilience and faith, I emerge as a winner over my adversities.
You don’t have to start over to move forward. Honor your past, your passions, and enter your future with hope and patience.
For information about New Year’s resolutions
https://www.almanac.com/history-of-new-years-resolutions