#HappyNewYear #2026 #NewYou #resolutions The calendar-year change often leads to soul-searching. We ask ourselves: What have we done that was good? What have we done that was not so good? And, what do we need to do to make things better? We ponder these things at this time, likely because we’ve freelanced our way through the last 12 months. Freelancing can be good. It can take us to places, and prompt us to do things, we may never have considered. It can also prompt us to do things we should have never done. Some things have been put upon us not of our choosing. But, some choices we’d made may have been ill-advised, though they may have sounded right at the time. Dealing with the put-upons can show strength. Shrugging off the put-upons as inevitable can show resignation and weakness. The calendar change is a reminder to take stock of all those things and, perhaps, become a new you in 2026. Self-examination is never easy. It can be extremely difficult for some. But, the only way to successfully move from Point A to Point B in life is to determine your best way to get there. The BEST way is not always the easiest. Often, taking the longer, harder way can lead you to places you may have never thought to go, but are rewarding when you see them. Getting good advice, or, merely, asking for help is almost always a benefit. But, in the end, YOU have to make good choices. When you seek a leader in areas in which you are not familiar, choose that leadership wisely. Some leaders may seem strong, or may seem to have good intentions, but may not be looking out for YOUR best interests. In short, follow someone you trust. If he or she breaks that trust, cut ties with him or her. Also, remember who is REALLY important to you. Those people deserve your priority. If an offer seems too good to be true, it may be a scam. Be wary of inappropriate generosity. You may see gains and losses. Manage both as properly as you can. The new year may bring celebrations and setbacks. Briefly relish the former, and, over the long term, overcome the latter. Remember the things you did that you should not have done, and strive never to repeat them. Remember the things you did that you should have done, and keep doing them. But, even with pitfalls, see life as good and let hope and optimism overwhelm fear. Happy New Year! Peter
#rich #smart #wealthy #SmartPeople #RichPeople #DoGood #BeAGoodPerson If you are so smart, why aren’t you rich? Those who would wage war on smart people would ask this question. Obviously, there is more to intelligence than the ability to make money. In fact, some not-so-smart people have made a lot of money. But, those who are smart often want to use their intelligence not to enrich themselves, but to help others. Some would even use their own intelligence to help others get rich. People who are just plain rich tend to be self-centered. If there is nothing in it for me, the attitude goes, there is no point in doing it. But, truly smart people see a need – perhaps an obligation – to use their brain power to change the world to help others succeed. Certainly, if they get wealthy in the process, they won’t complain. They may even donate a portion of their wealth to help those much less fortunate. To put it succinctly, they give and they get. They don’t take. People who are just plain rich have no problem taking. In fact, many will take things they are not entitled to take. They will use their wealth and power to dominate those who are less powerful. Smart people who use their intelligence to help others ignite jealousy among the not-so-smart rich. Smart, noble people tend to be popular. Those who are just rich tend to be not so popular. The unpopular rich want to own the popular smart. Unfortunately, history has countless, horrible examples of human beings owning other human beings. Wealth and power in the wrong hands can be devastating to many, if not all, of us. Some of them will literally take from the meager incomes of the many simply to line their own pockets and satisfy their greed. Why? Because they can. If we have the power to do so, we shouldn’t let them. The suffering of the many can actually amuse those in power. What type of human being can get a thrill from the suffering of others? It’s hard to determine where their humanity is. But, chances are, their wealth and power did not cause their inhumanity. Likely, they’ve always had it. They will try to say that empathy is a weakness. Alas, it is a virtue. So, let’s all try to be as successful as possible by helping, or at least not hurting, others. Strive to be someone children can, and should, look up to. Children, in fact, do not learn nearly as much from our words as from our actions. If you are fortunate enough to attain great wealth through noble pursuits, share that wealth generously, and effectively, with the most needy. Attaining great wealth should not be a goal to reach at all costs. It should the a bonus for doing good, and being a good person. When we all strive to do good, and be good people, everyone benefits. Peter
#surrender #peace #Russia #Ukraine #PeaceDeal #cowardice #weakness #strength #courage Surrender is not peace. CNN anchor Fareed Zakaria stated that on his GPS show Nov. 23. 2025, talking about peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Proposals being offered by the U.S., acting as mediator, appear to call for Ukraine to surrender territory Russia took from it by force. Ukrainians overwhelmingly do not want to do that. As Zakaria’s comment implies, surrendering territory just to stop another country from attacking you is not a peace deal. There are other parts of the proposed deal that European allies do not agree with, such as Ukraine agreeing never to join NATO, the European-American alliance designed as a backstop to Russia’s potential aggression. Russia recently softened its position on this, reports say, After all, if Ukraine cedes part of its sovereign territory to Russia, what’s to stop Russia from attacking other nearby European allies? But, let’s break down what peace is, and what it is not. Peace is more than just a stoppage of fighting. Certainly, both sides likely want the fighting to stop. The war is doing serious damage to both countries. But, in Ukraine’s case, it not only wants all its land back, but it also wants assurance that no further attacks will be forthcoming. Trading land for peace is not a deal. It is a surrender. In any negotiation, both sides give something and get something. And, in any negotiation, some things are not negotiable. If what is not negotiable for one side is untenable to the other, there is likely no deal to be had. Ukraine is a smaller country than Russia. It’s larger neighbor attacked it. It is fighting a noble battle, mainly against soldiers, military targets and economical targets to try to inhibit Russia’s ability to keep attacking. Russia, on the other hand, is attacking soft civilian targets, like residential areas, schools and hospitals and energy infrastructure, hoping to turn the Ukrainian public against its own government. This shows weakness, not strength. It shows cowardice, not courage. But, Ukraine has fought hard to get out from under Russia’s grasp for years, and has built a vibrant, democratic country. Russia also resents the fact that many smart Russians have moved to Ukraine in search of freedom. Russia, meanwhile, wants Ukraine back under its empire, and may want other former satellite states as well. So, if peace is achieved, the two nations have to live in the same region, with some guarantees against future attacks. That will not be easy to achieve, given the attitudes of the players. But, anything less will be something other than real peace.
