Vienna waits for you (and me)

At the turn of the year, I vowed that 2026 would be the Year of More. I had grand plans. I was going to do so much stuff. I was going to cram my non-working hours with so much positive life experience that I’d achieve not only balance but also self-actualized bliss.

Ahem.

I maintain that this was a fine aspiration. But start-of-the-year me didn’t account for everything that’s transpired in Q12026 — geopolitical and domestic unrest, the AI frenzy that’s turned Big Tech on its head, and my brain and body chemistry’s diabolical campaign to rob me of sleep.

That said, I’ve still managed to accomplish some items on my list:

• Movement. I’ve been exercising more. Physical therapy was a huge success, and now I’m able to walk more quickly and more naturally. I also can now work out on my elliptical machine for 45 or more minutes at a time without too much discomfort.

• Writing. While I haven’t posted here in a bit, I’ve been fairly prolific on social media. Making videos and posting short-form content is a creative escape that my brain and soul need. And while I am slightly self-conscious to post videos and photos of myself, it’s been a lot of fun.

• Gratitude. I have never been more thankful for what I have. Even as I aspire to more, I acknowledge my abundance — loving relationships, material comforts, generally good health, and hope.

So, I’m making progress. I’m not giving up on the rest of my big list. But I’m also OK with a more tempered pace. As the great Billy Joel wrote:

“Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?
You'd better cool it off before you burn it out.
You've got so much to do
And only so many hours in a day.”

Honestly, this song should be required listening for everyone right now. In particular we could stand to heed these words: “You’re so ahead of yourself that you forgot what you need.”

Perhaps it’s a topic I’ll expound on another day.