Opening Your Arms To A New Year
Today I popped into a local restaurant in the middle of a hectic day and ordered a cup of soup to go. There’s something about local restaurant soups that make a winter’s soul especially warm. As I waited in the reception area, a scene unfolded that left me so touched. I thought it a good story to recount as we prepare to embrace the opportunities of a new year.
Initially, as I passed the time, I became lost in my phone. The unaware nothingness that happens when you get lost in the scroll of your phone can make one completely oblivious to life around you. However, my attention was pulled from my fingertips by the enthusiasm of an older woman standing next to me.
It all started when this woman squealed with delight. Her face lit up as a younger woman walked through the door hand-in-hand with a younger man. The exuberance was palpable. The two women embraced with a warmth born from a long tenure of love, and introductions were made with the younger man. I could tell this was a much anticipated meeting. Soon thereafter, another couple arrived with kids appearing to be pre-teen aged. The older woman cupped their faces in delight, noting how tall they’ve become.
The scene became infectious. One by one and two by two, people entered the restaurant making a b-line for the older woman who seemed to hold court in the moment. The happiness of this reunion transfixed me. Each person was welcomed with arms wide open. If truth be told, I hung out next to this expanding joy perhaps a bit too close. I hoped they didn’t think me weird, but the energy was compelling. I found myself hoping my soup order got lost in the kitchen so I could linger in the happiness right next to me. I just wanted to piggyback into their moment. How could I not want to be part of this positive and loving energy. The story teller in me wanted nothing more than to capture their moment so that I could recapture it through writing.
I watched this woman extend her arms wide over and over again with welcome and joy.
I was reminded of the happy moments made possible by simple acts of embracing. Think about it. When was the last time you literally opened your arms wide with joy? Unfortunately, the older we get, the less likely we are to stretch our arms wide. Perhaps it’s a good exercise to see just how vast your reach can be. Extending your arms with acceptance might awaken slumbering muscles. You might be surprised at how much delight can ricochet back to you. I was certainly reminded of this as I waited for some soup.
As we prepare to greet a new year, I found the actual act of embracing a good segway. Think about it. 2026 is upon us, and regardless of where you are in life, the turn of the calendar page requires transformation. Change can be as simple as training your mind to remember 2025 is now history; but on a grander scale, this new year offers an opportunity to regroup and see anew. Yes, I’m going to recommit to drink more water and exercise regularly. But for me, real transformation isn’t necessarily as difficult as it may seem. Paying attention to the multitude of simple graces that happen all the time around us feeds our ability to stretch our arms wide. And as I learned from an old women and those she loves, as long as we are able to exude joy through arms wide open, newness and goodness just might find our hearts. And of course, soup helps. Happy 2026 everyone.
Photo by Nathan Mc Bride