DEAR READERS: Welcome to 2026! A New Yr has arrived; the final one is safely behind us. As at all times, this New Yr brings with it our hopes for a brand new starting.
At the moment presents a chance to discard damaging previous habits for wholesome new ones, and with that in thoughts, I’ll share Pricey Abby’s often-requested checklist of New Yr’s Resolutions — which had been tailored by my late mom, Pauline Phillips, from the unique credo of Al-Anon:
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll dwell by means of this present day solely. I can’t brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I can’t set far-reaching targets or attempt to overcome all of my issues directly. I do know that I can do one thing for twenty-four hours that will overwhelm me if I needed to stick with it for a lifetime.
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll resolve to be pleased. I can’t dwell on ideas that depress me. If my thoughts fills with clouds, I’ll chase them away and fill it with sunshine.
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll settle for what’s. I’ll face actuality. I’ll appropriate these issues that I can appropriate and settle for these I can’t.
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll enhance my thoughts. I’ll learn one thing that requires effort, thought and focus. I can’t be a psychological idler.
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll make a acutely aware effort to be agreeable. I will likely be type and courteous to those that cross my path, and I’ll not communicate sick of others. I’ll enhance my look, communicate softly and never interrupt when another person is speaking. Only for at this time, I’ll chorus from enhancing anyone however myself.
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll do one thing optimistic to enhance my well being. If I’m a smoker, I’ll stop. And I’ll get off the sofa and take a brisk stroll, even when it’s solely across the block.
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll collect the braveness to do what is correct and take accountability for my very own actions.
And now, Pricey Readers, enable me to share an merchandise that was despatched to me by L.J. Bhatia, a reader from New Delhi, India:
DEAR ABBY: This 12 months, no resolutions, just some pointers. The Holy Vedas say, “Man has subjected himself to 1000’s of self-inflicted bondages. Knowledge involves a person who lives based on the true everlasting legal guidelines of nature.”
The prayer of St. Francis (of which there are a number of variations) incorporates a robust message:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
The place there may be hatred, let me sow love;
The place there may be harm, pardon;
The place there may be doubt, religion;
The place there may be despair, hope;
The place there may be darkness, gentle;
And the place there may be unhappiness, pleasure.
O Divine Grasp,
Grant that I’ll not a lot search to be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to know;
To be cherished, as to like;
For it’s in giving that we obtain,
It’s in pardoning that we’re pardoned,
And it’s in dying that we’re born to everlasting life.
And so, Pricey Readers, could 2026 carry with it good well being, peace and pleasure to all of us. — LOVE, ABBY
Pricey Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also called Jeanne Phillips, and was based by her mom, Pauline Phillips. Contact Pricey Abby at http://www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Field 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
