‘Future’ by Ahmed Carter (unsplash.com)
Thought for the Week
You who are on the road
Must have a code that you can live by
And so become yourself
Because the past is just a goodbye
~“Teach Your Children” (Graham Nash)
It’s planning time. But if the 2020s have taught us anything, it’s that our plans, no matter how well-thought-out, can never be certain. Does that mean we shouldn’t make plans? Of course not. But it does remind us to include contingencies, and to brace ourselves for the unforeseeable (worldwide pandemic, AI takeover?).
But there is one thing we can plan with certainty:
Who we will be. Because the key to this kind of planning lies not in knowing what will happen, but in how we’ll respond. What values and truths will we live by? Will they be so inseparable from our character that they inform all of our actions and choices no matter what happens? Will we live out those values in the midst of unforeseen tragedies or windfalls? (Interestingly, more people’s values collapse during the latter than the former.)
Why is this important? It’s important because ultimately it won’t be what we did that mattered…but who we were. So, who will you be in 2026…
And beyond?
Well said, Mitch! Our character is more often on display in our reactions to what we experience than our planned actions. Thanks!
Words to plan by, Mitch. 2026 will be challenging, to say the least. May we all enjoy welcoming it with joy, love and hope for peace! Happy New Year to you and Trudy 🎉🙏🇨🇦
Thank you, Gail, and Happy New Year to you and yours as well❣
I agree that it matters more who we are than what we do, and yeah I think the 2000’s has shown that chaos theory is real 🙂 My family doesn’t make New Years resolutions, we choose one word to focus on for the year. Which in a way is focusing on who we are, how we will respond to the uncertainty of life. Here is to a wonderful 2026!
Great approach, Jamey. Wishing you a wonderful 2026 as well!
Yes. Actually, who we are is the one thing no disruption can take, Mitch
I love the perspective, Mitch.
Happy New Year!
Thank you, and Happy New Year to you too, Scott!
2026 – Plans include… THINGS: finish Appalachian Trail last 440 miles… buy a parcel lot in/about Mountain City Tennessee to have access to grandson… paint inside of house… HOLINESS: Baptize my grandson… serve Chapel of Holy Innocents about 6 times…. continue diaconal ministry…. be open to the awe and wonder that is God.
🙏
gerry in year 44 45 51 39
I love your writing Mitch–you get to the heart of the matter, with such clarity, and yet such mystery. Thank you for this piece—responding to life from who we are, and maybe from who we’d like to be—is a great perspective.
Thank you, Katie. I’m so glad it spoke to you.
🙂
I am not assuming much of a future at this time in my life.
Don
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Well written, so true
Thank you, L.G.
me, myself, and I
Three good choices, Tom. ;>)
I love the song. did CSN record it? Nice pic too. I cannot remember if I sent you the pinwheel analogy. Spin a color one and you see white. Spin one with Past, present and future and you get Eternity
I don’t recall a pinwheel analogy, Norm. And, yes, CSN recorded “Teach Your Children.” The song title in the post links to a YouTube video of them performing it live.
Great read…very thought provoking and reflective.
What we have, or plan for is transitory, but who we are is something we can always work on improving. Focus on improving yourself, and life will feel better, regardless of future (and uncontrollable) events.
the tragedies and triumphs often unveil who we are
Very true, Jim.
Yes, the most important planning of all.
Well written, Mitch!
Happy New Year! 🎊
Thank you, and likewise, T❣
“Ultimately it won’t be what we did that mattered, but who we were” these are words that couldn’t be more true! I love this Mitch.
Thanks and blessings, Kristen.
20 26 makes us think of 45 51 39 i got to type 14 cause you know ?
Child of the Most High God, inhabited by His Spirit and led by His voice, who only knows where or what I (or you) will be in 2026! It will be an adventure, that’s the only thing I know for sure. 🙂 (Mitch, are you willing to communicate a bit with me by regular email? bettecox@att.net)
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So much truth here!
Thank you dear Mitch for the reminders….
And may Yahweh Yahuwshua (true dual names of the Most High) favor you
In the coming year, and always.
Amen, Matilda. And likewise, dear friend❣
Happy 2026. And I love that song of CSN&Y.
Spot on, Mitch. Since this whole idea of, “it’s not what happens that matters, but rather how you respond to what happens” is also showing up in the devotion I am reading right now, maybe I should pay attention. Happy 2026 to you! Keep on being Mitch.
Amen. And keep on being, well, not Anonymous. ;>)
Thank you for sharing this. Hope your New Year is filled with many blessings, ideas, creativity and love.
Likewise, dear Kathy❣
Seguiré siendo esa hija de Dios que le sirve con amor. Esa es mi meta.
Bendiciones del Señor 🎁
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Well said, Mitch. Puts the focus right where it should be…who will we be? Love this!
Thanks, Bruce!
Thanks for sharing and asking the question. Hm…can’t change who I am, but will strive to be much better than I was in 2025.
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That’s a question I’m scared to even dig. I often think what legacy do I leave for my children.
This is a quietly powerful reflection. I like how you shift the focus from controlling outcomes to choosing character — that feels especially grounding after the kind of decade we’ve been living through. Planning who we want to be is a steadier anchor than planning what we want to happen.
Exactly.
The music came into my brain as soon as I read “you who are on the road”. Such a well-written, iconic song. And I appreciate your thoughts coming into 2026: who will we be? My first instinct is to say that I will be true to my creative spirit. Happy New Year, Mitch!
Same to you, Rhonda❣
I will be. Grateful. ♥
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What a powerful reflection. I love how you shift the focus from trying to control the future to shaping the kind of person we choose to be.
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