My sister and I were coming home from church and as she turned on the blinker and steered the car into the left turn lane she said, “Hey, did you know that tonight will be the longest night of the year?”
I piped up and said, “You mean the shortest day of the year?”
We both giggled. But the big statement is, “Hey did you know it’s going to be a new year?”
With my fingers poised over my keyboard, I wonder what 2026 will have in store for me. Will it fly by so fast that I’ll hear the sonic boom as I did in 2025 or will it give me a chance to savor it like watching a comet in the sky with its glowing stream of dust.
If I was given a choice of how I wanted 2026 to play out I would quote the chorus of “Grown-Up Christmas” song.
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
I think this is a worthy plea, but the world we live in is broken and a perfect year in my eyes is something that seems unobtainable. Although, who said I couldn’t dream.
So, what will 2026 present?
What if I was sitting on a park bench next to Forrest Gump. First of all, I’d think he was a little peculiar with wearing a plain suite and running shoes. Then I’d see that he was holding a box on his lap. After briefly talking with Forest, he would take the lid of the box off revealing a variety of chocolates.
I’d ask, “What kind of chocolates are these?” Watching Forrest shrug his shoulders he would say as he held the opened box close to me, “My mama always said, ‘Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.’”
Boy, isn’t that the truth. I never know what life will hand me. Just like the box of chocolates that Forrest is sharing with me, will I choose and accept whatever circumstance is presented to me in 2026 or will I decline and lose out on a life changing experience.
Seeing that Forrest wasn’t going to give up on sharing his delectables with me, I went ahead and picked a dark square chocolate out of his box. After biting into it I realize it was truly my favorite, caramel. Instead of chewing it and getting the caramel stuck in the crevice of my teeth, I begin to suck on it savoring the flavor to the end. This chocolate represents the sweet precious moments in my life. Grandchildren, new accomplishments in my children lives, time I spend with my parents, and enjoyable times with my family and friends. These are moments that I will tuck away in my memory bank for later reruns.
If I were to bite into a chocolate covered jelly I would hesitate and think that I’m not sure if I want this in my mouth. But after letting the fruity flavor swirl around on my tongue, my taste buds awaken like they were just given a shot of adrenalin. Not all experiences I am willing to jump into without hesitation. Sometimes I wonder if there is any sanity left in my brain but then the need for adventure kicks in and I’m rewarded with the most awesomeness experience that I couldn’t have dreamt on my own.
My least favorite are the chocolates with the unsweetened powder coating. With the bitter taste, I want to spit it out, but because I don’t want to be rude, I’ll chew it quickly and swallow it. These are unwanted life circumstances that crop up unsuspectedly sidelining my life. Personally, I have no need for these inconvenient blips but they are a necessity in helping me mature and grow as a person. I usually try to power through these situations, but every so often time cannot be manipulated. Just like the bitter covering on the chocolate it may be unpleasant at first, but once I chew it the inner sweetness mixes in and I get a wonderful mixture of the truest flavor of the chocolate. This is the feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment when I have stuck it out to the end. Looking back on the hard times that I have endured, I can see how God was with me every step of the way. Because of these difficult circumstances, I now have a better understanding of life and about me. This is the sweet ending to a tough and sometimes bitter journey.
Accepting life’s randomness, learning from experiences (good and bad), staying open to new things, focusing on the present, and making the most of the choices you have, much like trying different chocolates in a box. – (Is life really like a box of chocolates? By Joaquin- August 2022 Scholarship Essay. Varsity Tutors)
So go ahead. When Forrest Gump offers you a chocolate, be willing to try something new. Be open in expanding your knowledge and experiences. Be courageous and stand firm knowing God has your back. The finish line is way better then refusing a chocolate and wondering what it could have been like.
Losing out on something that God wants to bless me with is a regret that I am not willing to live with.
Wishing you a year filled with happiness, good health, and exciting adventures!
Happy New Year!
Image by Food Photographer/Jennifer Pallian on iStock
Gwen
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