Stardate 01.01.2026
The calendar flipped overnight, but nothing magical happened while we slept. The sun rose the same way it always does. Our breath found its rhythm. Life quietly carried on.
And yet—something is different.
I started the New Year the same way I’ve been ending the last one: outside, tending a Weber grill while the temperature dipped below freezing. There’s something grounding about fire in the cold. About standing still long enough to cook real food while the world rushes by.
A few years ago, I would’ve called this strange. Now I call it listening.
I’m learning that entering a new year doesn’t require reinvention. It requires attention—to what gives you energy, what restores you, and what quietly works. For me, that’s movement, meditation, and food that actually satisfies my body. Lately, that’s meant centering my meals around meat and keeping things simple. No theories. No trends. Just noticing how my body responds.
Nothing dramatic happened.
I just started feeling better.
This year, I’m choosing a new attitude—less pressure, more presence. Less self-judgment, more curiosity. I’m not interested in chasing resolutions that collapse under their own weight. I’m interested in stacking small, honest choices.
If resolutions feel heavy, consider this instead:
What’s one small adjustment that would help you feel more like yourself today?
You don’t have to solve the whole year. You only have to show up for this one day.
One percent is enough. It always has been.
Welcome to the New Year. Let’s walk into it gently.
Captain’s Addendum
Bones: “Let me get this straight—you’re grilling meat in sub-freezing temperatures and calling it self-care?”
Spock: “From a physiological standpoint, Doctor, routine, nourishment, and ritual significantly reduce stress.”
Bones: “Huh. Turns out cavemen were onto something.”
Spock: “Indeed. Fire remains remarkably effective.”
Michael’s Reflection:
This year, I’m paying attention instead of following rules. When I listen—to my body, my spirit, and the quiet nudges along the way—I find myself healthier and more at peace.
Scripture for the Journey
“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”
— 1 Corinthians 10:31
Mission Log
Mission status: grounded and warm
Supplies onboard: fire, food, gratitude
Heading: forward—one percent at a time
