I’ve created a challenge for myself, but you’re invited to follow or join…

You may be thinking, Life is hard enough. Why create a challenge?

I believe that 2025 will stand out in history books as more than a quarterly marker in the 21st century. The events of this past year represent a dramatic shift in world politics, societal systems, and cultural norms—affecting every level of collective and personal living.

Maybe calling it a “dramatic shift” is too gentle. Things are broken. And this time, irrevocably. Our lives will never be the same.

For those unfamiliar with space-clearing techniques, dried sage bundles and palo santo (“holy wood” from South America) are often burned in energy-clearing rituals. The practice of using these items to banish negativity and restore harmony is called smudging.

For 2026, I’m zooming in to spotlight the forefront. Not giving up my farsighted view—I physically can’t. But I can adapt my zoom lens for the close-up view. And that’s what the image at top represents to me. It’s telling me to shift my focus from big-picture macro view to close-up micro perspective—at least for now, for this year.