The presence of thriving goodness in 2026
My word for a new year
I like to have a word of a phrase for a year, if I can actually find a suitable one. I was thinking about this one day last week, as one does in early January, and happened upon a paragraph about shalom (in commentary on Acts 10:36). This paragraph was describing shalom as being so much more all encompassing than peace … Now, I have long known about the word shalom as the Hebrew word for peace, but the idea that it meant something fuller and deeper and above and beyond that sent me off down a rabbit hole, and when I emerged from this hole I decided it could be my word for the year. (I’m not trying to appropriate anything especially Jewish, as I know that is currently a hot button, but I am very happy to appropriate a biblical concept all the same.)
So, a quick google search gave me pieces of the below description of Shalom:
Shalom (שׁלום) is a deep Hebrew word meaning far more than simple “peace,” encompassing wholeness, completeness, well-being, harmony, health, prosperity, and tranquility, a state of flourishing where all parts of life – spiritual, physical, and social – are in right relationship and fully functional, reflecting God’s intended order. It’s … not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of thriving goodness.
Root meaning: Derived from the Hebrew root shalem, meaning to be complete, perfect, or whole, with no parts missing.
Beyond “Peace”: It’s a rich state of universal flourishing, justice, and delight, involving satisfied needs and fruitful use of gifts, a concept of how things ought to be - of being sound, healthy and integrated.
Active & Passive: It can be a state of being (inner serenity) or an active pursuit, requiring work to bring repair and wholeness to broken situations, individuals.
Biblical Significance: In the Bible, it refers to a cosmic principle and divine attribute, a state of alignment (or of being in right relationship) with God, others, and oneself, as exemplified by Jesus saying “Peace be with you” (Shalom Aleichem).
“Thriving goodness” is an appealing new year’s resolution to me. I’m not chasing after prosperity in any earthly sense, and Lord knows I’ve learnt that you have limited control over your external circumstances (and they certainly won’t always be as peace-inducing as in my photo above), but it’s more of the inner tranquility and well-being that dispels angst and over-analysing and feeling persistently harried in the background that I am after. Ultimately I believe shalom flows from a deep trust in the love and character of God, that he is working all things as he sees best so I can open my hands and don’t need to strive or worry about situations or misunderstandings or failed opportunities … Well, that and perhaps a little proper rest every now and then.
I could also bring a little more shalom into my home environment with a little decluttering and cleaning up more after myself so that I’m not then feeling stressed and disorganised by my own mess and chaos, and by living a little more intentionally in preparation and use of my time. Those are some of my more practical ideas I want to implement and I am sure I will think of many more as the year goes by.
If any readers (if there are any still hanging on out there) have a word or phrase or quote they choose for a new year I’d love to hear those also …
This year, I think I'm going to focus on trusting God's provision and character. His sovereignty over my life is easily forgotten yet I am never without it. In May I graduate from college and what happens after that depends on a variety of factors that I cannot control- when I get a job, when/if my boyfriend proposes. I have never been good at relinquishing control but this year especially I have to rely on the faithfulness of my Lord to see me through whatever happens.
Hi Ali, it’s always a pleasure to read your reflections. Please do keep writing as it comes to you.
My phrase for the year is ‘Let the Lord carry the burden of tomorrow’. I work under the illusion that my planing or organising of an uncertain future makes it less uncertain. But alas I don’t control the next hour let alone week, month, year!! God grant you thriving goodness in 2026 and beyond.