Good morning dear readers and welcome to 2026. As I type this I am listening to a meeting of the United Nations Council regarding the military incursion of Venezuela by the United States of America. Which leads me to the graphic at the top of this post. During times of volatility it is often best to watch, listen and learn, rather than reacting to events that you had no part in and have no power to change.

Meanwhile I am seeing video of innocents who lost their homes during this military event. They did nothing wrong, just living in the wrong place at the wrong time, and now are homeless. If you are in the path of the “big dogs” when they fight, you too can be bitten. This could happen to any of us at any time. I urge the new leaders left in place in Venezuela, to focus on their citizenry and make SURE that they are restored to the condition prior to the surprise attack. If you need to do like insurance companies and recoup your payouts then, that is just business. The innocents and their children deserve healing and restoration. Amen.

Now, I am learning with a new artist this year returning to weekly sketching practices and focusing on creation rather than destruction. To every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. I see this in my creative community that works ever harder at creating peaceful communities that are free of political discussions or divisive policies. Until you tap into the creative force each of us possesses, there can be no peace. When a human is centered in what matters, the need to prove oneself as dominant recedes and the responsibility of each human to create peaceful paths emerges. Helping to guide creativity in others is a divine calling (yet need not be approached with that seriousness – it’s lots of fun too!).

I am also spending one night a week at a meeting of individuals who educate the public about animals and parks in their area. I want to be around good people who have no agenda other than educating people on how to interact with wildlife without injury to humans or wildlife. I am always grateful to those who volunteer their time to pass on the knowledge they have learned through hard work and much practical study. It is such a gift to communities.

In conclusion, I mark time differently than most. I focus on the moments I am in and try to make decisions that will make future me happy and will encourage supportive friends and community. While many say they hope 2026 will bring peace and love into people’s hearts, I know that each year has good and bad in it and to wish it otherwise is to ignore reality. The world is large and especially volatile right now. Having individuals (rather than groups) who will be there for me in my times of need is what I continue to cultivate. If you are working to create and heal, gravity will do its work and bring you closer to people of similar ethics. The trick is… when in doubt, wait it out. The right people will eventually come into your orbit.

As always, peace my friends. Peace.