New Beginnings
Welcome to the first blog of 2026. I hope you had a magical holiday season and you are looking forward to all the blessing 2026 has for you. For those new to the blog, welcome. This is a weekly overview of the live Tuesday Talks at 10:30, (link below). I offer a safe space where we connect on a spiritual level and examine thoughts, ideas, helpful tools and events that transpire. Some we understand, while others, not so much.
This year, each month I’m going to offer specific subjects to dive in deeper. Taking a closer look, in order help gain a bit more clarity and insight. The theme of this month is Universal year 1. Let’s speak about new beginnings and follow up next week on spiritual foundation building. On the 3rd Tuesday we will discuss inner work and finish the month with manifestation. To gain a better understanding of what Universal year 1 symbolizes This is why I feel these topics will offer you a greater awareness of what we can expect this year.
Let’s jump right in. First, I’m asking that you claim this is your year. Let’s agree to not focus on how to change into a new improved you. But rather, accept this is still me, I’m wiser and more equipped to navigate to waters. I invite positive opportunities into my life. I am at peace with knowing that even when I stumble, I will get back up and say “Tada” and continue forward. That sounds like a great mindset, agreed? Claim it.
Let me ask you, are you on a constant spin cycle of resolution drop out syndrome? At the beginning of the year, we are all excited to forecast and New Year’s Resolution. We commit; here is what I am resolving to do or not do. Then somewhere along the way, fall back into old habits and forget the resolution. I wonder why it is necessary to become new and improved each year? Why not continue to grow daily? Good grief the pressure we place on ourselves for what needs to change. Until recently, I had no knowledge of “quitters’ day". Yep, you read it correctly. The 2nd Friday of January is a get out of jail free day. The human race has had such a great percentage of resolution burnout that we only last about 2 weeks. I’m not sure if that is funny or sad. If you fall into this category, as I have many times, I think it is time to look at the whys. Let’s ponder the thought of having maybe set an unrealistic goal. It is so big that we surrender and give up. We go from confident; we can do it and throw in the towel. Self-sabotage can be and usually is a big part of why we surrender. Coming to the realization that in theory all things seem possible, and all things are with proper planning. Without an action plan the reality kicks in and the difficulties bubble to the surface.
Why do we do that to ourselves? It all of that seems dreadful. Let’s rethink and adjust it just a bit to take the dread out this new adventure. Let’s resolve that this year we do small steps. Here are a few examples of what I am speaking about. Let’s examine the top New Year’s resolutions and break them down into achievable new habits.
Weight loss is one of the most common resolutions. This year, I’m going to lose 50 pounds. Instead let’s think small steps. There are 12 months in a year, which equates to 4.16 pounds a month. Seems more achievable, doesn’t it? At the end of January, you see that you have lost 4 pounds. Victory! Let’s go for another 4 pounds in February. Let’s say at end of February you have only lost 3 pounds; you are only off by 1 pound. That is not defeat because you have lost and were only off by 1 pound. It motivates you to continue.
Better eating habits. If have a sweet tooth, totally depriving yourself of sweets can cause an inner monster to appear. Let’s calm that monster with small steps. Instead of sweets all day your goal could be only after each meal. If you cheat a little no big deal. Buy smaller bags of treats and place them somewhere that you have to make an effort of getting up to retrieve the savory sweet. A bowl of candy sitting on your desk all day will call your name over and over again until your will power is no longer strong enough to tell that voice to be quiet. Small steps.
Finance, another thing we want to manifest. Last year I started a habit. At the end of each week, I gave myself a certain dollar amount. When I placed that into my wallet any money left over from the week before was pulled out and placed in a wooden box. This box is not easily opened. Some weeks I would have $2 but other weeks I might have $50. I also did not feel guilty if I had to borrow from it from time to time. Before Christmas, I pulled the “left over” fund and I had enough for Christmas presents and had a little left over to start again this year. Small steps.
Organization and purging things you don’t use. This is my nemesis. So, this year, my moto is small steps. I have a “storage” room that contains mystery bins. Thes bins have not been gone through, some for years. My husband and I say every year, we are going to go through said mystery bins to either toss out or organize. Every year we start but completed it hasn’t happened. The thought of being knee deep in bins, going through all of the memories or why did we keep this, is overwhelming and not my idea of a good time. And it’s downstairs and we hardly go there so, out of sight out of mind, right? Until we have to venture into that area and remind ourselves, this is the year. I started with small steps the other day. I wanted a file cabinet for my office, which I could have gone and bought a new one. But I just knew there were a few down in that dark hole of a room. My thought, saves money, helps organize in my office and is a small step in what frustrates us. Here is what I did. I gave myself 1 hour. I found the target area where the cabinet resided. It’s only two drawers; I can do that. I found things from 1997 in the cabinet, toss and then things on top of it, toss. When my 1-hour alarm went off, I had more done that I had expected. It felt good. No overwhelming.
Time for new opportunities. This is another one that I struggle with, but I refuse to surrender. I enjoy new projects and creating with new ideas. However, completing 1 project at a time is a stretch for me. I start one project and, oh no, bright shinny object… there is a new project over there and I move to it without finishing the first project. And project number one is still a mess all over my desk. I’m sure you see where this is going. Last year I was committed to complete one project before starting another. This did not turn out well for me as I quickly fell back into old habits. Here is how the small step method works and so far, so good. I have a small cube that is a timer. (a block of time) I can set it for 10 minutes up to one hour. Here is how my last few days have gone: Time 1 hour. Project delete old emails. (beep, beep, beep). Close out folder. Highlight it on my to do list. Set time 1 hour. Project create monthly ideas list for Tuesday Talks. (beep, beep, beep). Close out folder and put it away. Highlight it on my to do list. Time: 1 hour. Project: research venues and send at least 5 intro emails.. (beep, beep, beep). Close out folder and put it away. Highlight it on my to do list. Time: 1 hour. Project - Work on Women’s Retreat (marketing let’s say). (beep, beep, beep). Close out folder and put it away. Highlight it on my to do list. Time 1 hour. Project- Class agenda for retreat. (beep, beep, beep). Close out folder and put it away. Highlight it on my to do list. Set timer 1 hour. Project: check voice mails and return calls. Check emails and answer or delete. (beep, beep, beep). Close out folder and put it away. Highlight it on my to do list. Time 1 hour. Project: take a break, eat, go outside. (beep, beep, beep). Close out folder and put it away. Highlight it on my to do list. Time 1 hour. Project: make a to do list for tomorrow and clean up area. (beep, beep, beep). Close out folder and put it away. Highlight it on my to do list. Walk out of office and shut the door. Look at everything I completed. I felt accomplished each day. I have learned that I cannot start with emails because I get lost there. I’ve designated certain days and time for office days, client apt days, working on book days and Hip Gypsy days. These small step method days worked well but, I’m not going to lie, I have gotten off track a few times, but I refocus and go back to my list. Instead of feeling overwhelmed mid-day I felt focused. My biggest challenge so far is when my phone rings or I receive a text message. I believe I may have to silence my phone and listen to voice mail ever 2 or 3 hours. I liked the feeling of a plan and staying on task. I had to intentionally close the folders and put them away. I forced me to not have the ability to put my hands on other projects. I dreaded the thought of having to complete a project before working on something else.
Little changes, these are small morsels of change instead of drastic U-turns. We touched upon weight loss, eating habits, finance and saving, organization, scheduling time for new opportunities or time off. I have always had the rule of not scheduling readings on the weekends because that is always hubby time unless he isn’t here then all bets are off and I’m in my office till midnight.
Can we agree that if we are open to navigate change in small steps, we avoid the agony of defeat? Who needs a quitter’s day, let’s agree to say that is now time out day, I’m taking a day off. Agreed?
The universe has a beautiful brand spanking new year filled with unbelievable new opportunities and adventures. Let’s say “yes” to the new blessings coming in 2026. Remember, actions speak louder than words. Saying you want to do something without actually putting action behind it will defeat you every time. Concentrate on the small steps. Think of one small thing you can do today to make your day better. Then do it. This small movement will turn dreams into reality through grounded activities not passive wishes.
This past week I hosted a vision board class. Before the class, I’m thinking, what is my vision? I had a few ideas, but again, I needed to reel myself back in and think “small steps”. Purging and organizing are always at the top of the list at the beginning of the year. That falls hand in hand with time management and committing to “fun time”. I accept that I am a work in progress. During the class I led a meditation, and a vision appeared. Well, all right. Here we go. After the meditation, we looked through magazines to design and develop the blueprint of our vision. A lot of quotes jumped out at me. But, let me just tell you how the universe got my attention. The very first thing I cut out to place on my vision board was a picture of, who else, Tom Petty with a quote that said, “I go when I feel like it. That is the way I intend to do it from here on out.” Yes, boundary advise from the one and only Tom Petty. He was speaking to me from the other realm. I found things that surrounded my vision for this year in joy, fun, being the best me I can be, writing and reading books, the retreat theme, music and of course, the kicker quote from Tom. I think I can call him Tom now since he showed this to me, right. Well, that’s how I’m going to see it. It is my vision anyway, so my rules.
What the universe has in store for each of us is unfolding and on its’ way, right now. Open the door, walk through the threshold and invite it in.
As I write this, I am realizing that next week’s topic is foundation, and I believe I have just spoken about foundations. However, I know this was given to me to share with all of you for a reason. A new beginning, small steps, one step at a time, one day at a time.
Let’s be on the same page and agree that change is not easy when the task is too large. Practice the small step method can empower you to know that nothing is impossible.
Begin today. Do 1 small step today. A small step to make your day or someone else’s day better. Check in with yourself at the end of the day and reflect how small made you feel. New beginnings, new opportunities are calling you. Use the small step method, you may find that it will keep you from falling on your face in defeat.
Today is the day to call in the life you love and live it in love.
Blessings
Stacey
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