On this first day of 2026 I’m sure many people are writing their resolutions for the new year. I chose instead to reflect on the highs and lows of 2025, what I’ve learned, and inklings of what may come next. So before I say hello to 2026, I will say goodbye to 2025.
It seems that 2025 was both incredibly short and unbearably long. There were good things, not-so-good things, frustrating things, and very strange things. That is probably true of most years, but the contrasts seem somewhat larger to me this year. For me 2025 included some fractured relationships, chaotic changes at work that resulted in my job not even resembling what I signed up for, the death of my dog Bodhi from brain cancer, and my own skin cancer diagnosis.
Some of the good things included continuing to work from home, even more involvement with the music community, being hostess for a choral workshop at my church, more frequent piano performances including two piano quartets, starting my virtual psychology practice as a safety net and a way to supplement retirement, getting my new dog Roxy, and growing in my Christian faith.
Do I have regrets from 2025? Yes! I spent too much money, ate too much unhealthy food, and I haven’t exercised nearly enough to keep my body healthy. I also haven’t composed as much music as I would have liked. Although I’ve made progress, I also haven’t kept in contact with friends as often as I would have liked either.
So, those regrets, positives, and not-so-positives are part of my focus for 2026. If I can tolerate it, I will keep working for the VA this year so that I can continue building financial security for retirement. That goes hand-in-hand with reducing my spending and increasing my income from the private practice. In doing all of this I will ask for God’s guidance.
I plan to increase my intake of health foods and eat more mindfully. I don’t really have a goal weight (number on the scale) that I want to attain but if I can work the plan I’m sure weight loss will be a likely byproduct. To be successful with the healthier intake I will need to find other ways to soothe my stressful emotions, particularly during the work day. I will also need to break the connections I have made between driving/eating, and possibly a few other situations where I eat just because it is a habit. None of this means I can’t enjoy eating. In this endeavor I will also need to ask for God’s assistance with the plan and/or be willing to follow a different plan directed by God.
I’ve begun to look at my use of time for all of my different interests, including composition. Until I retire from full time employment I won’t be able to compose in the way that I want or produce as much harp music as I would like. Instead I will acknowledge that this is a foundation-building time so that I am more ready, and have more tools for when the time is right. I will utilize remindrs that I am not doing this alone. God is my source and my strength.
Athough the new year seems to prompt optimism that things can get better and is a symbolic opportunity to let go of unwanted habits, patterns, and situations I am choosing to focus on one day at a time instead of setting goals for the whole year. Each day I commit to resonsidering my priorities and/or attitudes. Once again, this will not be based soley on my view from my limited vantage point, but will also include a request for God’s guidance in my day. Being the sole decision-maker hasn’t always turned out well so its time to do something different.
Goodbye to 2025. Thanks for all of the fabulous things. Thanks also for the things that have caused me to grow. Hello 2026. I’m looking foward to all the blessings that will come my way.