Dear Abby: Happy new yr!…
DEAR READERS: Welcome to 2026! A New Year has arrived; the last one is safely behind us. As always, this New Year brings with it our hopes for a new starting.
Today presents an alternative to discard damaging outdated habits for healthy new ones, and with that in thoughts, I’ll share Dear Abby’s often-requested listing of New Year’s Resolutions — which had been tailored by my late mom, Pauline Phillips, from the unique credo of Al-Anon:
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll live through this day only. I cannot brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I cannot set far-reaching objectives or attempt to overcome all of my issues at once. I do know that I can do one thing for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll resolve to be completely satisfied. I cannot dwell on ideas that depress me. If my thoughts fills with clouds, I’ll chase them away and fill it with sunshine.
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll settle for what is. I’ll face actuality. I’ll right those issues that I can right and settle for those I can’t.
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll improve my thoughts. I’ll read one thing that requires effort, thought and focus. I cannot be a mental idler.
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll make a aware effort to be agreeable. I will probably be type and courteous to those who cross my path, and I’ll not communicate sick of others. I’ll improve my look, communicate softly and not interrupt when another person is speaking. Just for today, I’ll chorus from enhancing anyone but myself.
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll do one thing constructive to improve my health. If I’m a smoker, I’ll give up. And I’ll get off the sofa and take a brisk stroll, even if it’s only around the block.
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll collect the braveness to do what is true and take accountability for my own actions.
And now, Dear Readers, permit me to share an merchandise that was despatched to me by L.J. Bhatia, a reader from New Delhi, India:
DEAR ABBY: This yr, no resolutions, only some pointers. The Holy Vedas say, “Man has subjected himself to thousands of self-inflicted bondages. Wisdom comes to a man who lives according to the true eternal laws of nature.”
The prayer of St. Francis (of which there are a number of variations) comprises a highly effective message:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there may be hatred, let me sow love;
Where there may be injury, pardon;
Where there may be doubt, religion;
Where there may be despair, hope;
Where there may be darkness, gentle;
And where there may be unhappiness, pleasure.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I could not so a lot search to be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to perceive;
To be cherished, as to love;
For it’s in giving that we obtain,
It is in pardoning that we’re pardoned,
And it’s in dying that we’re born to everlasting life.
And so, Dear Readers, could 2026 carry with it good health, peace and pleasure to all of us. — LOVE, ABBY
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also recognized as Jeanne Phillips, and was based by her mom, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at http://www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
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