Historically I choose three words to guide me throughout the year. Last year I don’t think I even chose one word — the past couple years I have been a little off in that department. But that is okay and I am allowing myself some grace. Honestly – I have been known to forget my words a month after I choose them.

When I was searching old blog posts to determine what I chose last year I ran across this post that I wrote about giving myself a gift.

I am happy to say that that present to myself worked out pretty well. I didn’t obsess about having a blog post every day. After all, it isn’t like I do this for money or accolades. I do it mainly to keep my mind going, to document travel, to muse about things that hit me that I feel the weird need to share, and to just keep the creative juices flowing.

So this year I decided to follow along in that vein and give myself a present.

.

.

My present to myself this year is the word present. Not in the sense of an actual gift but in the sense of being aware of being in the moment and being present. So often I have found myself jumping from activity to activity and worthy cause to worthy cause. They are all worth my time but I also realize that I need time to just be present. Be present with Chris – my best and most supportive friend. Be present with my family – all of them. Be present in the moment with a friend that I happen to be with. Just be present in the moment every single day in some way that feeds my soul and keeps me grounded.

If I have learned anything, it is that time does not stand still . It does. not slow down. It moves on and if I don’t allow myself time to just be in the moment, no matter how insignificant it may seem to others, I will lose sight of everything that is important. So here’s to 2026. Cheers. Here’s to being present for all that is to come.

Be well.