Thoughts To Begin 2026 By
There were a few times that I began the new year sending you inspirational quotes. This year, with so much chaos and uncertainty, I want to do it again. This blog is a combination of those earlier quote blogs, with a few additions.
I hope these bring you renewed hope, and enjoyment.
For me, the biggest thing I get from them is this: Start with whatever you have at this moment, and what you have at this moment is enough.
Pema Chödrön wrote many times about inspiration, teaching us to embrace the painful aspects of our lives, turning that pain into a way of opening our hearts. One thing she said stays with me daily: You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.
Goethe’s famous words add a different emphasis: What You Can Do, or Dream You Can, Begin It; Boldness Has Genius, Power, and Magic in It.
Jack Kornfield provides his wisdom in how we can support ourselves towards feeling hopeful: Everybody needs to take some time, in some way, to quiet themselves and really listen to their heart.
Carl Jung challenges us: Personality … is an act of high courage flung in the face of life.
Anne Frank reminds us: How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
The Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu met a few years ago; out of that meeting came a book - The Book of Joy – that is almost a transcript of their meeting. These two men have personally lived through immense pain and suffering and have a lot to say about joy - about starting where you are. Here is something of what they say:
Be kind to yourself. If we don’t have genuine love and kindness toward ourselves, then we can’t extend kindness to others. Too much self-focus leads to fear, insecurity and anxiety.
You are not alone if you are able to connect with the humanity in yourselves and others.
Recognizing your own limitations and weaknesses can be positive, if you are open to learning from these limitations. It then becomes wisdom. There is a Tibetan saying that wisdom is like rainwater – both gather in the low places.
And finally, words from the second President of the United States, John Adams, close to the end of his life – perhaps not so much inspirational, but something to ponder and to inspire those of us living in uncertain times that others have gone before us: You will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.
Steve Jobs
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Maryanne Nicholls is a Registered Psychotherapist. To find out more, gain access to her weekly newsletter, meditations and programs, sign up at www.thejoyofliving.co .
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