New Year,
New Beginning, New Goals 2026
Happy New Year!
Oh well, another new year, another year of making resolutions—that I/we most likely will not be able to reach. Most of the time I do not even try very hard. Sadly, most well-intentioned resolutions, including mine, will be quickly abandoned. Before we celebrate to welcome 2026—let me first reflect from the past year’s resolutions that I continuously fail to achieve year after year:
Lose weight
This is always my first resolution of the new year knowing I will most likely fail to achieve, not because of lack of trying but not enough discipline to do what it takes to lose weight—like eating more healthy food (can’t resist those homemade delicious pastas and lechon kawali), eat less or resist eating sweets.
Exercise more
Oh boy, this is a big one. It is one I like to make but consciously know I will fail miserably. I make this goal every year and sometimes I make it the first month of the year, then slack off the rest of the year. I think I should be more disciplined and not make any more excuses. Start with small steps and it should not be a chore. Maybe I need to find an exercise that I love like hiking to enjoy the beauty of God’s amazing creation.
Spend less and save more
This is another tough goal to do but it is worth trying to prepare for the rainy days. With all the distraction and marketing ploys by Amazon Prime and many other businesses, I need to avoid buying stuff I do not need—small luxuries like daily Americano coffee or latte and other unnecessary items. Instead, I will start brewing my own coffee at home. One thing I have not tried as a New Year’s resolution that I think will save me some money is to do the “no spend” month. This is worth a try. For one month I will avoid spending any extra money on non-essentials. This means no going out to eat, no hobby supplies, no brand clothes and so on. So when I spend less, that will result in saving more for retirement and for unexpected “rainy days.”
My New Year’s resolutions this year will be a little different and a departure from past resolutions with the focus more on others than “me,” that will involve more an act of service like nurturing relationships through spending quality time and doing better listening. Here are some of my New Year’s resolutions for 2026 that I will try my very best to do that requires a little effort with the hope of a long-lasting impact on the lives of others:
Extending kindness towards others
By intentionally and consciously showing compassion, generosity and warmth to others. It is about reaching out with empathy, a simple smile to strangers, inviting someone to dinner and listening without judgment, and offering kind words. Extending kindness will result in stronger relationships with family, friends, co-workers, strangers and neighbors. It will ultimately foster trust and restore faith.
Practice patience
This is another tough goal for me in 2026. I must admit—I am a little impatient, especially when it comes to people who procrastinate on work that are important in my line of business. I have very low tolerance of people who continually make excuses, especially political leaders who are unable to find solutions to problems facing our community such as the housing crisis facing our residents, homelessness, economy and so on. I need to work more on being patient towards others and be more understanding and give more grace as Jesus Christ did for me. I need to emulate those who exude patience and be steadfast in trusting God who is the author and finisher of our faith. I am constantly reminded by God’s Word in Philippians 4:6 that says, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Extend love and compassion
This is easier said than done but God commands us in Matthew 22:39 to “love your neighbor as yourself” which means showing kindness, care and generosity, treating others with the same respect and consideration you give to yourself and upholding the dignity of others. This command about love extends beyond neighbors. It includes even strangers and those we disagree with, essentially everybody. I am mindful of the difficulty of abiding with one of my key New Year’s resolutions for 2026, I need to be intentional in embodying Christ’s love of gentleness, humility and forgiveness. I need to move beyond self-focus to joyful service.
On behalf of the Fil-Am Voice, I wish all of you a Blessed New Year! We hope your New Year’s resolutions for 2026 will mirror God’s amazing unconditional love. If God prompts you to serve others’ needs, be faithful to do it, trusting that His guidance leads you to abundant life.
