New Year NON Resolution

I am not very fond of New Year’s resolutions, and I’m not sure intentions are much different. So, for 2026, I want to FOCUS instead of change. 

2025 was a tough year for me and many others, but it also brought beautiful, joyful moments. 

 In 2025, my third granddaughter, Ellayna Kyla Fae Tornow, was born. My daughter, son, family, and friends gave me many moments of joy and connection. We celebrated Mike’s parents’ 90th and 88th birthdays. Mike was able to continue competing in USAPL and retains his national title. I became healthier (lost 26 lbs.) and spent many mornings walking on the beach. 

And in between the joy-light-filled moments, there were dark moments, like losing my job and having to cancel our vacation so we could care for Violet (my service dog) during another health crisis (her 3rd surgery in 14 months for a torn meniscus and ACL). 

Losing my job as an executive coach, team builder, and leadership trainer left me feeling lost. It triggered an internal journey to reflect on what energizes me and what my future might hold. Sometimes that process wasn't easy, and the answers about what is next aren’t clear.

What is clear is:

• Service to others fires my soul.

• Family and friends are priorities for me.

• Painting and writing are personal passions.

• Living a healthy lifestyle is essential for feeling energized.

As I sit here and look ahead to 2026, my letter to my future self hopes that, no matter what happens, I choose joy over despair, kindness over hate, and healthy habits over bad ones.

My focus word for 2026 is “CHOOSE.”

• Choose what fires my soul.

• Choose my family and friends.

• Choose creative endeavors.

• Choose healthy habits.

Not to change anything, but to choose to really nurture myself. And in that nurturing, I will be what others may need as they journey in this new year.