The Quiet Power of Just One Thing

It’s the first day of 2026.

Fireworks were last night. Today, a new moment in time,  a clean slate.

Just a day—with a little more freedom in it than yesterday. And with that freedom comes choice.

I’m quarantined for one more day, so my options are fairly contained. Still, even in my bedroom, I get to choose where my attention goes. What I’ll nurture. What I’ll practice letting go of.

Maybe you’ve New Year’s resolutions, goals, or plans and ready to start. Just a few reminders:

1. Keep a sense of fun about them.

2. Show up more than you show off.

3. Start with steps so small they almost feel silly.

4. Make sure whatever you’re aiming for is realistic, measurable, and—this part matters most—

5. Make sure you’ve chosen to work on something that you care about deeply. Not because you should. Because it matters to you.

Recently, I asked a dear friend—77 years old and in hospice—what the best advice of her life might be. She didn’t hesitate.

“Look for something to make better,” she said, “and do it for the right reason. Not for attention. Not for praise. Not even for a high five. You don’t need it. If you pay attention, the feeling inside will be payment enough. More than enough.”

So today, instead of fixing yourself or chasing improvement, try this:

Pick just one thing that has nothing to do with your wants or your needs.

Do it quietly.

Do it kindly.

Do it for the greater good of this moment—right here, in your small corner of the world.

Sometimes, one thing is more than enough.