When we experience a tragic loss, living forward becomes one of the most difficult things we can do on a day-by-day basis. That's just the first step in Living Forward. The second step is to get out and engage LIFE & PEOPLE. I felt the need to stay inside, alone, and taken hostage by my grief, but because of my RESOLVE, I "got busy living." If you exercise the ciurage to to engage each day, the things you do, the people you meet, and the opportunities that are waiting for you, life will become more rewarding, and you will make a positive impact on all that you encounter. Our letter in RESOLVE is "E for Engagement."

By now, you know that my PowerWord is RESOLVE. It is defined as "one who has a definite, firm plan of action." The first letter, "R", is for Resilience. We are in a new year. Having a definite, firm plan of action is not about resolutions. It's about a clear process that leads to a definite end result. The tools, or personal best practices, for successful daily living are not about randomness. Yes, there are the unexpected situations both good and bad. Living forward is a choice, and living forward takes behaviors that lead to the best outcomes. Today, we build a plan of action that leads to your best outcomes. We'll start with the letter "R" for resilience. I Respond, not retreat.

Growth is the only evidence of life, therefore in order to experience positive growth in 2026, we must take charge of our lives and do what helps us grow in every aspect of our life on a day-by-day basis. It doesn't matter whether we use resolutions, powerwords, year-long themes, etc. It only matters that we are intentional in choosing to live forward each day.