Happy 2026! It’s going to be a beautiful year…I can just feel it. Through the years I’ve learned that in many ways, life is what you make it. If you want a happy life…focus on positive things. Oh, and try to see glimpses of beauty in the negative. The beauty is there if you look hard enough.

I’m looking forward to the growth all of us are bound to experience this year. I know that each experience in life moves us closer toward the person we are meant to become.

While it might seem counter-intuitive to make resolutions during winter, I actually like the practice of thinking about changes to make to my life as the year turns. While yes, we are in the middle of the dark half of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, the light is growing longer and stronger each day. To me, it makes perfect sense to consider resolutions on January 1st.

While I don’t make “resolutions,” per say, I do think about what may come next in life. Sometimes I’ll jot down a few ideas. Other times, I’ll just spend time in contemplation and prayer. Usually, that feels like enough to start the year off on the right foot.

And really, what’s better than spending time in the presence of God?

After spending some time in quiet contemplation, I make sure to count my blessings. 2025 has definitely been a year to remember.

My spiritual life has blossomed this year as I’ve learned more and more about God through many different means. I’ve embraced the beauty of myth and now better understand the basics of belief, along with why I think and believe the way I do. I’m excited to write more about spiritual things this year, and to hopefully share some things I’ve learned a long the way.

I’ve been able to write so much, and am pleased with the novels I’ve self-published on Amazon. I won an award, and have so many sweet readers. I’m being gentle with myself as far as fiction-writing goals go in 2026, and we’ll just see what the year holds.

More than anything, I’m grateful for the time I’ve spent with my family as a wife and mother. I love living this perfectly imperfect life with them, and I can’t wait to see what we’ll do together in 2026.

Life is beautiful, isn’t it? There have been times when I seriously didn’t know if I would make it though, only to look back years later to see the fingerprints of God all over my life. While I know 2026 will likely contain some setbacks (as most years do), I’m believing that all will work out for my good.

I know there are many ways to interpret Jeremiah 29:11, but today I’m choosing to claim it over my life, and yours, too.

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”

And while we’re at it, let’s claim Proverbs 23:18, too.

“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”

Happy 2026, friends. May you have your best year yet!

This post is also available on Substack.