What role might you play in making the world better this year, even in small, everyday ways?
Happy New Year! There is something invigorating about the start of a new year – a time that we have collectively agreed signifies new beginnings and an opportunity for renewed focus. This year is even more special, if you believe in numerology, because it is a “1” year (2+0+2+6 = 10; 1+0 = 1) – a time for new beginnings on a larger scale. The last “1” year was 2017, which happened to be the year I moved to London (2016 – the “9” year – was my last year in Dubai). I wonder what has come to a close for you in this past “9” year, and what new path is emerging?
Anyway, enough math for a Friday morning! As we ease into 2026, I find myself asking what my part will be in helping make this world a better place. It was inspired by this week’s poem, which I read in the December edition of The Big Issue, a UK-based social enterprise and street magazine that gives people experiencing homelessness or poverty a chance to earn a legitimate income.
At the front of the issue was a Christmas message from Bishop Sarah Mullally, the incoming Archbishop of Canterbury. In her message, she shared the poem below by Howard Thurman and wrote: “My dream is that the joy of Christmas, whether it stems from faith or not, should be shared in whatever way each of us can, to give hope and help to those in need.”
Something in this poem and her message really touched me. At a time when most of us are wrapping up time with our own families and turning our attention back to work (“how on EARTH am I going to roll out this unpopular change program??”), she invites us to consider our role in society more broadly and how, as humans, each and every one of us has the capacity to heal some of the pain we are collectively feeling.
I’m not suggesting that we should all drop what we’re doing and pivot towards working 100% on social issues. What I am inviting us (including me) to do is to pause and contemplate what we can do to leave this world a little better than we found it. How, in 2026, can we find the lost, heal the broken, bring peace among others, make music in the heart? This could be as simple as making the effort to welcome a new person at work or a new neighbour in your community; to commit to not spreading gossip or speaking poorly of someone; to use your creativity to bring more beauty into the world or to consciously celebrate the creativity of others by going to a local concert or art gallery.
The smallest action, done with love and intention, can lay a thread of positive energy in this web that connects us all. Just imagine what might shift if we all intentionally strengthened that web this year?
