In walking the road of life there will be inevitable challenges. Many challenges provide clues before they escalate, and anticipation of those challenges as well as strategies to handle the challenges can make the road of life less bumpy. Some of the challenges I anticipate in 2026 include the following:
Unpredictable people
Some people are super predictable and others are very unpredictable. Predictable people, for the most part, are easy to encounter, but unpredictable people have the potential to turn your life upside down. Unpredictable people, however, are predictably unpredictable, and that helps you to create a good strategy for dealing with them. For me and the unpredictable people in my life, my strategy begins with the desire for these people to live their best lives. I don't want to get in the way of that, and if I can be of help, I want to help. So in dealing with the unpredictability, when it's positive, be grateful and acknowledge the good, and when negative, create some healthy distance with few words as it's unlikely that anything you say or do will create positive change during tough moments.
Dishonest people
Some people don't tell the truth consistently. Sometimes it can be outright lies and other times it can be lies of omission--I'm not sure which is worse, however when someone proves themselves to being dishonest, be wary about ever trusting their words. Listen carefully. Ask clarifying questions, and expect to be surprised. It's probably best not to share too much information of any kind with dishonest people.
Unhappy people
Some people are unhappy. The unhappiness can be the result of disastrous, troubling life experiences or sometimes unhappiness appears to be a state of being for some. You can try to cheer up unhappy people by engaging with them in activities or adventures that they enjoy. You can also be a listening ear and a source of help if you have what they need. In other instances, you can simply provide refuge, comfort, or a listening ear, and sometimes you simply don't have what an unhappy person needs. We've all been unhappy from time to time, and if we seek the reasons for this unhappiness, we can generally find some kind of solution. For example, often when I'm unhappy, I'm simply exhausted and the best course of action is rest.
Mistakes
We all make mistakes. As the old adage says, "Haste makes waste," which means we can avoid a lot of mistakes by simply taking our time and being mindful. We can also avoid mistakes by planning ahead and visualizing what's to come and how we'll react. No matter how much we prepare to avoid error, we will undoubtedly err from time to time, and all we can do is make amends, learn from those mistakes, and forgive ourselves. Of course if we make the same mistakes over and over again, we may need to get some good support by way of counseling or health care advice to help us avoid such errors.
Jealousy
We all may be jealous of others from time to time and others may be jealous of us. Jealous is an ugly emotion, and when you feel jealous, it's best to get to the root of it. For example if someone has a trait or lifestyle you envy, it's good to understand why, and how you might deal with it. One way to deal with this is to identify what it is that the person has, and figure out how you might obtain a similar event, object, or lifestyle. Long ago, I worked with a woman who I was envious--she had the life I desired. I really thought about what this kind and good woman had and what she did to maintain such a nice family life. In time, I was able to emulate much of what she did and had. Now rather than envy, I am happy I had that example to live up to in my life. I find myself envious of another person in my life these days--the envy has pointed me to many of the choices that person makes, choices I can make too so that woman will prove to be another mentor for me. So rather than envy, you can look to people and circumstances as lights to guide you. There may be bouts of envy for lives you will never live. In cases like these, I am grateful to enjoy those lives by proxy--I can enjoy and experience those lives through stories and real life experiences. Though I'll never live those lives, I can partake in those lives in some way. No one can be all people or live all lives. We have to be grateful for who we are and what we have, and when we see lives, experiences, or objects that make us envious, we can try to figure out how to experience that too in our own lives.
Disagreement
There will be disagreement amongst people, and in the best situations when people disagree, they can compromise in ways that make everyone happy. Sometimes compromise is impossible, and in those cases situations may go your way or not your way. When you essentially lose the battle, sometimes you simply have to accept that and move on. If the disagreement goes your way, it's best to show compassion for the other sides knowing there will be some disappointment for them.
Health issues
No one wants to face any kind of health issue, but it happens, and the best we can do is to get help sooner or later when it comes to issues of health. First, prevent bad health in every way you can. The information is out there that lays a path to good health and if we follow that, chances are we will enjoy good health. That said, even the healthiest amongst us face trying health issues, and when that happens you have to get the best care and knowledge that you can to face the situations head on with intelligence and grace.
Loss and betrayal
Loss and betrayal of any kind are tough and often unpredictable. When we lose people, jobs, opportunities, or relationships we value, we hurt deeply. I have a hard time with loss, and I've yet to experience the worst kinds of losses one can face. The best we can do in the face of loss is be good to ourselves and figure out a positive way to move ahead. It may be that seeking the help of counselors is the best course of action when we face excruciating losses.
Loneliness and boredom
Everyone gets a bit lonely or bored from time to time. That's when you have to try something new with new people as that opens doors to new experiences
Overworked
In the past, I experienced being overworked. It's exhausting. That's when it's time to prioritize and take a few things of your plate--no one can do it all.
Challenge is part of life's journey, and we can't hope to erase it altogether, but we can anticipate that it will happen and strategize as to how we'll deal with it in positive, peaceful ways. Onward.
