Two Viewpoints on New Year’s Resolutions Sliding into 2026!

The sun had just started climbing over the palms in Santa Cruz, the kind of sunrise that doesn’t rush you—just shows up, beautiful and calm, whether you’re ready or not.

Skip sat at a small wooden table outside a soda near the beach. He held a cup of coffee firmly with both hands, staring into it like it might offer life advice. Once upon a time in Florida, mornings meant traffic reports, emails before breakfast, and arguing with red lights that clearly had it out for him.

Now? Birds. Waves. A breeze that felt like forgiveness.

Teresita arrived without announcing herself. She never did. One moment the chair across from Skip was empty, the next it was occupied by smooth confidence, oversized sunglasses, and a smile that suggested she already knew whatever he was thinking.

“Buenos días, Skip,” she said, taking a sip of his coffee without asking. “You look like a man making New Year’s resolutions again.”

Skip laughed. “Is it that obvious?”

“You get that look,” she said. “Like you’re trying to wrestle life back under control.”

He pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket.“Okay, don’t judge. I made a list.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Of course you did.”

Skip unfolded it proudly. “Wake up earlier. Exercise every day. Eat fewer carbs. Read serious books. Relax more.”

Teresita leaned back in her chair, glanced toward the ocean, and smiled.“You see that water?” she asked.

“Sure.”

“It never makes lists,” she said. “And it still arrives exactly where it needs to.”

Skip shook his head. “Back in Florida, my resolutions were very organized.”

“I know,” Teresita replied sweetly. “You once told me you scheduled time to be calm.”

“I was under a lot of stress.”

“Yes,” she said gently. “You looked like someone who argued with traffic.”

“I did,” Skip admitted. “Every morning.”

“Poor traffic,” Teresita said. “Just doing its job.”

Skip folded the paper again. “So what about you? What are your New Year’s resolutions?”

She didn’t hesitate.“Wake up when my body says yes. Drink good coffee. Laugh every day. Watch the sunset whenever possible.”

“That’s it?” Skip asked. “No gym membership? No diet?”

Teresita laughed, the kind of laugh that makes strangers smile.“I walk to the beach. I lift coffee cups. I eat what makes me happy. My doctor approves of joy.”

Skip stared at his list, then at the ocean, then back at Teresita.“I resolved to stress less.”

She leaned forward. “That is not a resolution, cariño. That is a decision.”

A surfer walked past, barefoot, carrying his board like he had nowhere urgent to be. The soda owner waved. Someone’s radio played softly in the background.

“You know,” Skip said, “since moving here, my resolutions keep getting shorter.”

“Good,” Teresita replied. “Soon it will be just one.”

“And that is?”

She pointed toward the horizon where the sun met the sea.“Live well today. Repeat tomorrow.”

Skip smiled, lifted his coffee, and took a slow sip.“You know what? My resolution is to listen to Teresita.”

She laughed again. “Perfect. And mine is to remind you when you forget.”

The paper stayed folded in his pocket. The coffee stayed warm.And the New Year, for once, didn’t feel like something to conquer—just something to enjoy.

✨ Pura Vida