Beginning a second year as an opinionist for the Whitesboro News-Record, I’d like to thank some who may enjoy reading these thoughts and apologize to those who wouldn’t dream of doing that.
Both of you are enjoying your Constitutional rights. Yay!
The last two years have been difficult for me, saying the least. But I’ve emerged despite them. Last year my guiding words were “RESILIENT” and “RELEVANT and those guideposts helped immensely.
Last fall, I wanted a new beginning and chose two new words for 2026, though one word may be the suggestion.
I really needed two, and “HEALTH” and “JOY” fit my goals.
Fingers crossed seriously that these support me for the next 11 months!
Then came New Year – wham bam, thankee ma’am! I fought off a sinus attack from a Christmas Eve air conditioner blasting (still better than the new flu), so that pushed back Health goals for a few weeks.
So what the heck happened to Joy? Politics took a bite out of it and shook it like a puppy.
I “Chose Joy” and planted a sign in my back flower bed to remind me every morning as I greet the sunrise, in spite of world events and foolish politicians. Events since Jan. 2nd made me seriously question this choice.
I’ve given some thought on this if it’s to guide me for the rest of the year. But there are many nuances of joy. Think of any emotion like a bell-shaped curve if you will. It’s got a beginning, growth, a highlight and then slow decline.
To start, there’s 1) “Hmmm -okay”.
Next 2) I’m thinking about it and trying to smile.
Then 3) A small giggle brings a smirk.
Then 4) An actual laugh. HA!
(5) Something in your heart beats twice and a smile accompanies that laugh, even louder.
Then BOOM! (6) A feeling of JOY overcomes you!
It might be seeing your true love after an absence. Hugging your baby who’s been sick and now recovered. Being thankful that the careening car missed you by a whisker. Or recovering your own health!
JOY is a pervasive full-body experience, something I’ve sought for long these last months and into the new year especially. Joy is something more than festively wrapped gifts and sparkly things. It goes deep inside.
Sadly, 2026 current events haven’t accompanied the great desire for Joy to fill our lives for the last few years. Mine for sure, maybe yours also.
But life goes on, along with faith and hope. Then occasionally an “out of the blue” kind of Joy startles you. Not expected.
A morning phone call from a supplier just checking that I was okay was something new. And I didn’t owe him money!
Another call months later from a usually cranky acquaintance let me know he’d noticed my gate being ajar. Was I okay?
Yeah, these were neighborly calls, but ones that hadn’t happened before. Did I look that needy?
Or were they being especially intuitive?
It brought me Joy, though, to think these local acquaintances were a step closer to friends.
So, do you ever think when you notice something different -- See something? Then say something? Maybe you should.
It might help bring Joy to another acquaintance – and gain a friend.
There is so little happiness going on these days that any tidbit you might glean might also produce a bit of Joy in another human being.
So maybe you go first and someone else will reciprocate and give you a dash of unexpected Joy in return.
Lord knows, everyone needs more joy in our lives. Let’s all reciprocate whenever possible. Please!
What’s your take on the New Year – 2026?
Shelly has worn more hats in the communications field than Carter had pills but forgot to retire when she closed her promotions business. She earned a BA in Journalism at NTSU (before it became UNT) and has never lost her love of words.