Quick Thoughts for 2026

I am writing this on the last day of the year—December 31. This morning, we made breakfast sandwiches for our early birds. In response to a question about “why today?”, I said it was to celebrate the last day of the year and asked if he would be doing anything special to mark the beginning of 2026. He responded, “No. It’s just another day!”

That’s true. It makes me wonder if those days are worth the extra status—as if they were first-class fliers with access to special lounges, early boarding, and more leg room.

Like many things, that statement can be true depending on your point of view. I am a big believer in the acronym NOM—No Ordinary Moments. Every moment holds the same possibility. And there are some days that take on symbolic meaning, when we are more aware of their importance. January 1 is a notable day for the Waldo County YMCA because it marks the beginning of our fiscal year. Because one year blends into another, I need to be intentional about two things: looking back with gratitude at what I can learn from 2025 (both from the successes and the failures), and looking ahead to where I want to go in 2026.

This year, I celebrated five years as CEO of the Waldo County YMCA, and I have grown a lot. I will do a more detailed look back at those five years over the next few days. What has become clear, as I start my reflection, is that 2025 was the first year I felt like we were operating on all cylinders. The previous four years, the Board and I were focused on rebuilding what the WCY had been prior to my arrival. (I don’t mean to make it sound like I ruined everything when I took the job! I started in September 2020, just after the mandatory closures of the pandemic… not all my fault. 🙂)

This year, we started looking to the future. Since the facility will turn 25 in September 2026, we have some work to do to maintain it—and it gives us the opportunity to envision what we need to do to continue being the community hub we have been. I was talking with a former Board member about my wish to do more for the community. He agreed it was a great goal, and reminded me that we already have a huge impact right now. I appreciated that. I can get caught up in what could be and forget the power of what is.

Anyway… I will write more about that this month.

For now, I want to leave you with a piece of writing I try to read every December 31: Max Ehrmann’s Desiderata. It reminds me of the beauty in every moment and every relationship, whether I am able to see it or not. It reminds me to trust the process of life. And it reminds me, “Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.” That last line feels especially pertinent as I work to maintain my endurance, build strength, and lose some weight!

I hope you find it worthy of reflection, too. And if you have something else you use to ground you in the past and propel you into the future, I hope you use that. I would love to know what it is.

It’s a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Happy New Year,

Russell

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

by Max Ehrmann ©1927