Reading Jen McCown’s (m) blog post Crushed, then expansive – 2025 was one hell of a year inspired me to write my own theme post for the year.

The last year and a half was marked by a lot of upheaval in my own world. Security issues, AI, friends fired, and then my own layoff served to tear down my world as it was. I have been working to heal that for a while now. And while that work is always on-going, I have determined that my theme for this next year has already been set.

I am resilient. Seneca said, “If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.” This port I am sailing to will be guided by resilience, of myself, of my friends and family, and of this world that I love.

I will not go gently into that good night. I will rage against the dying of the light, and I will emerge victorious. I am a survivor, but that is not enough. I aim to thrive this year, and I will. I have good friends and family to support me. I have my own sense of self-worth, and I will not allow that to be taken from me.

What is in my control, will remain in my control. I will rebound, stronger than ever. I will not allow this life to be anything but wonderful, even when it tries hard not to be. The wonders of this world remain bright and shining, and I will enjoy them to their fullest.

Bring on the celebrations, bring on the joy, for we ride at dawn, into a new world!

Join me, friends, for this is the life we can make anew with our bare hands, our loving hearts, and our sense of wonder and passion for what is to come.