The Feeling of a Fresh New Year

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“Be humble. Be teachable. The world is bigger than your view of the world. There’s always room for a new idea, a new step…a new beginning.” – marcandangel

There’s a noticeable expansiveness in the January 1st  entry in meditation books. Setting the tone. Regardless of the theology or philosophy, there seems to be a commonality in the approach to start with the most fresh, audacious, “let’s jump in” message that the author can summon.

I’m not a resolution person but I do like celebrating beginnings. Aren’t fresh starts great? They make me think of the feeling at the bottom of the mountain that encapsulates all the potential energy. Or the intentions at the start of the project, or new job, about how it’ll turn out. And the appeal of a new relationship when the shared history remains to be written. Also the appreciation for babies and children because of their innocence and freshness.

The beginning is before we’ve had to make decisions to change the scope, mitigate the pain, or slip into automatic responses in order to save energy. Before we’ve accepted that most endeavors come with their share of pain, healing, and learning. And that we sometimes fail to deliver even when we intend to do our best.

I have a bad habit of believing I know how things will play out. Especially when new people I meet elicit a reminder of someone else and it feels like I can see a preview of the relationship to come. That habit cuts me off from potential. So I love the fresh energy of messages like January 1st meditation essays that open me back up to uncertainty and a wider perspective.

It’s like new shoes. We don’t know where they’ll take us but we have to get them dirty to find out.

The beginning is important. For me it’s a reminder to stretch – to set our sights on the most expansive goals and being the best human/parent/partner/athlete we can. And to allow space for uncertainty.  Then when the messy middle comes, we have some room for scaling back while still getting somewhere worth going.

So here’s to a great 2026! Happy New Year!

(featured photo from Pexels)

You can find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynneleon/ and Instagram @wynneleon

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75 thoughts on “The Feeling of a Fresh New Year”

  5. Happiest of new year, Wynne! Hope you and the kids had a rest filled break and best wishes with the return to school. Love your message and here’s to stretching ourselves this year and finding ourselves though the messy middle!

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  8. “I have a bad habit of believing I know how things will play out.” This sounds like a really good self-awareness statement. It’s been drilled into us to ‘learn the lesson’ from past experiences. Sometimes we make a mistake because the new experience is dressed in a similar style to a past lesson.
    I’m with you on setting expansive visions and reaching for our best. Imagine how wonderful things could be if we reached those heights. Happy New Year!!

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  10. ” … new shoes. We don’t know where they’ll take us but we have to get them dirty to find out…” . . . Amen Wynne! . . .
    and in the process of getting them scuffed and dirty in the world pray our ‘souls’ remain unmarred.

    All the best for all His best throughout 2026 to you and the 2 precious souls in your care.

    Keep Looking Up ^ … His Best is Yet to Come!

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  12. Such a wonderful way to face the new year. I love new beginnings, they give me a chance to make right the mistakes I made, a chance to try again. A chance to get the new shoes dirty! I wish you and the family all the best in 2026!!

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  14. I love the shoes analogy too, Wynne. Is there also something about putting the old shoes to one side. They’ve been good servants in the past, taking us to all sorts of places. But now we must put on the new pair – ease into them, enjoy them, accept they’re different. We can’t wear two pairs of shoes at once!

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  20. Hiiii Wynee!! It’s Danielle with the daily addict! My site was hacked – but I am back (same name new URL)

    So happy to see you are still posting and spreading the joy! Much love and happy new year!🎊🎈

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    1. Danielle! So good to see you – I’m so sorry to hear about your site. Thank you for letting me know!

      And thank you for the kind words. Sending you gratitude for the light and love you spread! Happy New Year!

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    1. I love what you say about embracing new beginnings every day – such an incredibly wise way to do it. Here’s to a great year of beautiful beginnings! You’re awesome, Kym! ❤ ❤ ❤

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  26. Awesome, Wynne, and I love the smell of new running shoes at the beginning of the journey, and then seeing the marks, dirt, and everything else, including their brokenness. That’s something to value and learn from. Great analogy, my friend, and Happy New Year!

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  27. I couldn’t agree more Wynne, January invites me into a short incubation where I can contemplate what’s next. I’ll be wrong but I’ll go through the exercise anyway. Here’s to a productive and fulfilling New Year. Hugs, C

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    1. Cheryl – so good to see you!! I love what you say about being wrong but it’s worth going through the exercise anyway. Exactly!

      Happy New Year, my friend!! Wishing you all the very best in 2026!

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  33. Yes, to stepping into the new year, full of possibilities and adventures untold! I’m looking forward to reading of your new journey as your start the new year on the right foot forward! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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  34. Wynne, the new shoe analogy made me laugh. Mrs. B just broke out a brand new pair of sneaks at the beginning of the year. Wore them once. One shoe already has a black smudge on it. No idea where it came from. This pair of sneakers is now officially broken in, as is the New Year at this point. The main thing is those shoes fit, and we are ready and fit to take on 2026. Happy New Year!

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  35. Your thoughts and optimism are just shining through, Wynne. It was a very inspiring post to read. It’s just so spot-on. I feel the comment about standing at the bottom of the mountain and that potential energy and anticipation of what might possibly happen on the journey. I love that feeling! Oh, and I also liked the messy middle because it’s the truth! You’re just keeping it real. 😊 Thanks, Wynne for a perfectly-timed message.

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