Discernment Is My Word For 2026

I like the idea of making New Year's resolutions.

Over 30 percent of America's population of 340 plus million people make them. It takes. Over 60 percent of those folks will not be following through on their commitments in six months.

My resolutions are focusing on healthier habits, more self-care, additional time planned for adventures with family and friends and cultivating a closer relationship to God. I want to carve out more time for laughter, mud puddles, backroads and singing at the top of my lungs. 

In recent years, I have had a word of the year to focus on, including words like: redemption, grace, joy and intentional. This year, I keep landing on the word discernment.

I think the proper use of the word is spiritual as it implies the use of intellect, experience, divine understanding and gut instincts to help us with better choices, improved decisions and leaning into the proverbial circle with the right folks.