Giving thanks at the end of the year

Charleswood

It’s that time of year.

The time when we think of making new year’s resolutions. But our habit of breaking them makes many of us wonder what the point is.

I think I fall into that category.

But there’s more to starting a new year than resolutions.

First, it’s a chance to look back. What were the highlights? What is there to be thankful for?

I am so grateful for the opportunity to make music with my two older siblings this year. We co-wrote a song to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of our grandfather’s arrival in Canada. We spent several intense days in a recording studio together in June. And after production and editing, we are now in the process of releasing our songs into the world. It’s been challenging and rewarding at the same time.

I’m also thankful for a challenging and rewarding job as an educational assistant in a wonderful Christian middle school.

And I can’t say enough how thankful I am to be living in Charleswood.

A highlight this year has been starting to meet our neighbours more. It was particularly lovely to chat with some of the families who trick-or-treated at our house, and this Christmas we especially enjoyed having our next-door neighbours over for dinner.

Which brings me to another idea I recently heard of for starting the New Year – thinking back over the year and deciding what you want to see more of (and what you want less of).

I think I’d like to see myself spend more time with friends and neighbours. I can too easily stay inside my own bubble, focused on my own pursuits or my own family. Both are highly valuable, and, at the same time, so is building community.

As I look back on this year, one of my regrets is the lack of time I took for friends. As I adjust to life working full-time and continuing to work on music, I need to figure out how to do friendship better. And to make time for fun. I think I take life and myself too seriously. Can anyone relate?

I think I also need to ask for help more. And do what helps me more. Like journalling, praying, walking and dancing – and making music for the joy of it.

What do I need to do less of? What likely most of us need to do – spend less time in mindless scrolling.

As you enter 2026, why don’t you take a few minutes to look at the past year’s highlights and blessings, and what you’d like to do more and less of, and then think of ways you could make those hopes a reality.

Happy new year!