HAPPY NEW YEAR! MANIGONG BAGONG TAON!
Numerology reveals that 2026 is a universal year number 1. This is calculated by adding the digits of the year together until a single digit is reached (2 + 0 + 2 + 6 = 10; 1 + 0 = 1).
You don’t have to be superstitious to appreciate the positive symbolism of the number one. In Chinese traditions, including Feng Shui, it represents individuality and new beginnings. It’s also linked to self-reliance and leadership.
Joe Louis’ axiom, though delivered in the context of boxing, speaks to a fundamental human tendency: we desire the rewards of life without consistently making the sacrifices required.
The new year is a natural time to make a fresh start season for resolutions and new beginnings, especially when change is difficult. Breaking old patterns and setting new goals often feel more achievable with the symbolic push of a new year.
In this article, I’ll explore how Joe Louis’ motto can inspire us to make fresh starts in areas that hold us back—whether in wellness, relationships, personal growth, or other aspects of our lives.
Governments can also learn from Louis’ aphorism as they encourage citizens to adopt a progressive mindset. In the current corruption crisis, the president and ruling party should act swiftly by appointing individuals with a reputation for integrity and resolve to lead a thorough, uncompromising investigation into the issues plaguing the nation.
Such a leader must be transparent and unwavering in their purpose, undeterred by where the consequences may fall. The government must show courage and commitment, enduring the hard work and discomfort required to achieve real change. Only by being willing to pay the price can the desired outcome—the ‘heaven,’ so to speak—be realized.
Our past inability to tackle corruption stems mainly from the second part of Louis’s saying: “but nobody wants to die”—we’re often unwilling to make the necessary sacrifices.
Sometimes, leaders haven’t been willing to risk themselves for a greater goal, or worse, they’re complicit in the problem. A recent World Values Survey reveals a troubling Filipino attitude: only about a third of us believe corruption is wrong. When an issue becomes institutionalized, it becomes embedded in the cultural fabric—a malady that has persisted far too long.
Applying this aphorism to ourselves
The New Year is a time when many seek change or embark on new endeavors, whether for self-improvement or to launch fresh projects. A fresh start aligns perfectly with the beginning of the year, offering a psychological boost.
As 2026 marks the start of a new decade, it carries added cultural significance. This is our opportunity to make breakthroughs by taking initiative and embracing personal leadership.
For seniors, relationships and social connections often take precedence over career or professional achievement. Spending quality time with family and friends—and forging new connections—can greatly enrich life in later years.
The habit of being alone can become self-perpetuating, making it increasingly difficult to reach out. Yet there’s no doubt that social engagement can be life-extending. Sometimes, all it takes is a phone call or an email to break the ice.
Health and Wellness. In our later years, the importance of health and wellness becomes even more apparent for our contentment and happiness.
Now is the time to review your diet, sleep, and exercise routines, and to seek professional help for symptoms you may have previously overlooked.
The surging popularity of weight-reducing drugs underscores the wisdom of Joe Louis’ proverb. Traditional weight-loss protocols require significant hard work and sacrifice, making the promise of effortless results especially appealing.
Pharmaceutical companies recognize the immense demand for medications that promise weight loss without the challenges of dieting and exercise.
As evidence, demand for Ozempic and Wegovy soared by 83% in 2024, with sales approaching $29 billion—far surpassing Ozempic’s use for diabetes treatment.
However, consider what is lost by taking such shortcuts. Relying solely on medication deprives you of the many benefits an exercise regimen provides improved cardiovascular and muscular fitness, increased energy and better mood, enhanced sleep quality, reduced risk of chronic diseases, and support for cognitive function and mental well-being.
Too often, we overlook these rewards in our pursuit of quick results, forgetting the lasting value of hard work.
Personal Growth.
For many, learning new skills, volunteering, or exploring fresh hobbies brings greater engagement and fulfillment in later years. From personal experience, pursuing a meaningful new pursuit is the most rewarding way to fill the retirement void.
Activities like skiing and other winter sports once brought me immense joy, but as I’ve gotten older, my body is no longer suited to them. The human body simply isn’t designed to function optimally in the cold, and most physical activities beyond walking become challenging as we reach our physiological limits.
Each of us has dormant talents waiting to be awakened, often sidelined by years of career and family responsibilities. For me, writing emerged at just the right time, offering a path to cognitive revitalization.
Whatever new endeavor you pursue, it may not come easily. Our biological capacities naturally decline with age.
Sometimes, I’m amazed I can still produce articles, even as words that once came effortlessly to me as a teacher now occasionally elude me. Thankfully, tools like Google, Word, and other digital aids have been a blessing.
Social Impact
My writing has supported many causes I’ve championed over the years. As a former educator, I’ve witnessed numerous educational challenges in my home country—from inadequate infrastructure and poor child nutrition to teacher-training shortfalls and staffing shortages.
Through school visits and teacher interviews, I launched a Book Advocacy Program in 2012. By 2024, we had donated approximately 3,500 books, including teacher source books, student workbooks, reference materials, and occasional school supplies—to nine schools: five elementary, three high schools, and one college.
In education alone, each of us can make a lasting difference in students’ lives, especially considering our consistently low performance in international assessments (PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS). Whether through books, tutoring, scholarships, or recognition awards, every contribution counts.
Beyond education, every sector and social stratum in a developing country need support. With poverty rates as high as they are in the Philippines, practical life skills are often out of reach.
Many lack not only food and shelter, but also the time and energy to learn basic money management, address health issues, or tackle home repairs.
The “Peace Corps” of the 1950s and 60s stands out as an NGO that made a difference by sharing expertise in agriculture, youth development, and community projects.
Intangible influences
Sometimes, positive ripple effects extend far beyond the immediate beneficiary. Helping students improve their reading may inspire other household members to read as well.
Similarly, learning new health skills or creating a budget can have lasting benefits for everyone connected to the recipient.
There is a real potential for these lessons to filter out into the larger community. So don’t just look at a book to help Joe and Mary learn something for themselves; look beyond the larger possibilities. Maybe a new recipe could be a seed for a possible eatery and future related business.
Cleaning a river or creek can help prevent floods. A pond cleared of debris might become a recreational spot or a tilapia enclosure.
Likewise, vacant lots cleaned up in cities often transform into community gardens or weekend farmers’ markets.
Although I am not a supporter of religious missions, they can foster cultural understanding and provide educational opportunities or health clinics.
However, they sometimes risk increasing religious tensions when their approaches clash with local beliefs. The missions that remain active today have largely shifted focus from evangelism to social work, especially in Africa and Latin America.
The history of missionary work with Indigenous peoples in Canada is a turbulent chapter marked by emotional and relational trauma.
The so-called “Residential School” era, rife with physical, emotional, and sexual abuse by Catholic and Anglican missionaries, has effectively ended clergy-led missions among Indigenous communities worldwide.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town and Bishop of Johannesburg, summed up his experience with these missionaries: “When the missionaries came to Africa, they had the Bible, and we had the land. They said, ‘Let us pray.’ We closed our eyes. When we opened them, we had the Bible, and they had the land”.
Summing Up
In every endeavor—whether for ourselves or for an organization—self-sacrifice and hard work are essential to achieving meaningful goals.
Key aspects of the Universal Year in 2026 ( quoting Google)
• New Beginnings: This is a year of “pioneer” energy, marking the launch of a new nine-year cycle. It’s an ideal time to set new goals and break away from old habits.
• Individuality and Self-Reliance: Expect a surge in self-expression and confidence. Trust your instincts and take the lead in shaping your own path.
• Action and Courage: Seize opportunities with courage. Hesitation causes delays, while bold and innovative action will open new doors.
• Breakthroughs: New ideas and a willingness to challenge the status quo could spark career and personal breakthroughs this year.
A little smile, a word of cheer, A bit of love from someone near, A little gift from one held dear, Best wishes for the coming year. – John Greenleaf Whittier*******
edwingdeleon@gmail.com