Hello 2026. It's the time of year that we sit down, contemplate our lives, and vow to make gigantic changes. Running a marathon, fitting into those low rise jeans from high school, and getting a PH.D. are all grandiose and wonderful goals, however, if one has spent the last few decades making a dent in the couch while scrolling mindless socials and eating greasy take out, success is highly unlikely without immense dedication and a realization that victory will not happen overnight. 

Change starts with a decision, and a vision of what one wants that is different from what is. It is motivated by cause and fueled by reason, an amassed momentum, and the creation of new habits. Success in goal achievement is dependent on a personal investment in achieving results. A goal set for the satisfaction of others will quickly fade out due to the lack of internal commitment and fire. 

As we entered 2026, I was blessed with the opportunity to ring it in with my grandbaby. I had no plans of actually witnessing the clock hit 12:00, however with Teddy in tow, anything was possible. While Ted has no goal in sight to sleep through the night, he is working fiercely on getting one foot in front of the other without falling over. 

I watch this tiny little human in awe, not only because his cuteness is unbearable, but because his dedication to walking is unstoppable. His goal may simply be human nature, part of transitioning from baby to toddler, yet there are lessons to be learned while in the presence of innocence. 

Baby Steps: Baby Ted isn’t going to go from being a limp noodle to sprinting through my kitchen, just as you can’t expect to go from the couch to the 5k without training, vehemence, and commitment to achieving the end goal. Building momentum and a foundation, learning new skills, and gaining confidence through the journey will set you up to succeed. You must crawl before you walk, and walk before you run. 

Fall Down, Get Up, Repeat: You will stumble, trip, fall flat on your face. You will face defeat and beg for “uppy” just to simply get the shiny object three feet away. You will have days where the donut is more appealing than yet another bowl full of kale, and the treadmill can’t win over the recliner’s beckoning. It’s ok, and it’s not a sign of failure. It is a normal and expected part of the adventure. Success isn’t measured by how many times you fall, but rather how quickly you get back up. 

Lean a Little: The coffee table that proved to be your chin’s nemesis the day prior has now become your biggest supporter. Use the resources, both material and human, to take some of the weight off. Asking for help, guidance, and reassurance is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength. A high level of commitment to achievement allows one to put their pride aside and lean on the people and tools available that will aid in taking that next confident step. 

Personally, I’m not ready for a walking Ted. I am not ready to baby proof the house for visits, or have my heart skip a beat when he gets too close to the stairs. But it’s not about me, it’s about Teddy’s hopes and dreams of getting over the puppy in a quicker manner than crawling. 

He will keep falling down, nonetheless, he will get back up every single time. There may be tears, bruises, and even a smidge of blood. But in the end, he will walk, and then run, and I will be standing at his finish line waiting to cheer him on.