Volume 163: Rest in GOOD 2026

If you've been around me in the past month, there's a VERY high chance I have mentioned the enneagram...

Thanks to Frannie and the Raising Boys and Girls Podcast, it quickly became a new interest and has helped me to understand myself better and realize how other people operate differently.

But here's the thing... Believe it or not, a month ago, if you would have asked me what enneagram I was, I would have rolled my eyes, frustrated that I didn't know because I would always test 1 or 2 or 3...

Until... I listened to the Podcast about Ones and felt so understood... by complete strangers...

Once I knew what I was, it all made sense...

Some things I specifically related to about Ones from the Podcast:

- Inner critic - internal voice that is relentless

- Never get "attaboy" from inner critic and then don't often get from others either because we come across as confident and competent

- Afraid of making mistakes

- Dualistic thinkers - often only see 2 ways of thinking (right vs. wrong / black vs. white)

- Anger shows up primarily as resentment but then try to repress because think anger is wrong

- You can say anything to me if I believe you think the best of me

So what does this all have to do with the New Year??????

As I learned more and more about myself through this helpful tool, there's been a lot of benefit of trying to focus on good, even when it's not always my natural instinct. 

Therefore, my word for 2026 is: GOOD.

With three main focuses:

1. The gospel is good news!

- Share it in this broken world in need of good news!

2. Find the good!

- In others, in circumstances, in Scripture, in each day, etc.

3. It's good enough!

- Release the pressure of perfection.

In all this, focusing on good leads to gratitude and gratitude is the DNA of joy! So what a path to greatness!!!

Earlier this week, Debbie and I sat around her beloved table that has held many conversations between us, and I attempted to pose my annual question, "Do you have any goals or resolutions for the new year?"

And I received the same answer I get every year, "I don't really do resolutions..." And the crowd booo'ed!

I tried to rebuke, "it's more of a reset! A rule of life!"

And while it may not have landed... as you all know, I, Morgan, am a big fan of the new year!

To have the fresh start and recalibrate my everyday life and habits. Not in the cliche kind of way, but just to set apart some time to stop and consider what I want my life to be about!

When it comes down to it, there's not really much that changes year to year, but it's always a helpful practice for me!

In following Jennie Allen's Dream Guide once again, here are the main focuses of 2026, all with the overarching theme of GOOD.

Spiritual - Bible In A Year - Everyday Gospel by Paul David Tripp (round 2!!) - More time and study of the full Bible narrative - timeline and history - Good news of the gospel! Courage in faith. - Continue Colson Program - developing Christian worldview - Deeper investment in Youth group - Secure consistent mentor meet up

Relational

- Single community - Effort in relationship - Pray specifically for family - Encourage the people God has placed in my path - Make more phone calls

Personal

- Run Half Marathon (Feb 28) - Continue healthier eating - gain better understanding of nutrition - Read 50 books (more Biographies/memoirs) - Pay attention to fiction books I choose - Take initiative to play more! - TODAY cROCS PODCAST (get ready!!!)

Emotional - Go to counseling (it's been officially scheduled, folks!)
- Develop skills in helping me to reframe my mind
- Turn down the dial on the soundtracks - stop ruminating
- Articulate emotions without shame
- Understand that not everyone sees/thinks the way I do

Work

- Consistency of effort - For the one - Find joy in the work I get to do

!!!! DID YOU CATCH IT??? The spacing above is messed up within the different categories... despite my repeated efforts of fixing it... I was able to say IT'S GOOD ENOUGH! (Go Morgan! Great start huh!!)

Question of the year: What's good?

Often, I am quick to jump to what's wrong with something... Looking at a sweatshirt and seeing a letter is not evenly lined up... Being handed a book and immediately taking the sticker off... Sitting in a meeting and thinking the idea will never work...

So this year, I am setting out to find the good, first!

The small things, the big things, the hard things, the people, the nature, the work - there are so many things that are good!!

May all that I
eat
consume (entertainment)
think
speak
do
love
be GOOD! 

Everything I have is good because it is from God.

Everything I am is good because it is made in the image of God.

Everything/everyone around me is good because it was made by God. 

As James writes, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above."

God is good! Life is good! 

Prayer of the year:

The FULL Serenity prayer!

Now, I recognize that the word good has potential to frustrate me or let me down at some point(s) throughout the year.

Sometimes, this life can be confusing and difficult. I will come up short; my flesh will win. I will face questions and doubts and worries. There will be bad things that happen.

But sin doesn't win! Death isn't the end! Darkness never prevails!

There is always good to come! There is always good. For we know, God works all things together for the good of those who love Him.

Just like the enneagram, when I understand who God is, it all makes sense.

My purpose is to love God and give Him glory. For He is GOOD!

Psalm 107:1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.