By Rev. Ric Beattie
As we stand at the threshold of a new year, there is a palpable energy in the air—a sense of “becoming.” But for 2026 to truly be a year of transformation, we must approach it with more than just a calendar change. We must approach it with a deep, abiding faith that change is not only possible but inevitable when we align ourselves with spiritual Truth.
Letting 2025 Be Done
Before we can build the new, we must finish the old. One of the greatest weights we carry is the tendency to drag the “unfinished business,” the regrets, or the old narratives of the previous year into the present.
Spiritual maturity requires us to let the past be done. We honor the lessons 2025 provided, but we do not allow them to define our 2026. By consciously releasing the year that was, we create a vacuum—a holy space—where the Divine can begin a new work within us.
The Power of Believing It’s Possible
Faith is the “substance of things hoped for.” It is the conviction that the year ahead can be fundamentally different from the one before. However, this isn’t just wishful thinking; it is a foundational belief that sets our spiritual frequency. When we believe it is possible for our lives, our health, and our community to be renewed, we open the doors for that reality to manifest.
Practice, Practice, Practice
We often hear that “practice makes perfect,” but in our spiritual walk, we know that practice makes progress. The reality of a “New Year” doesn’t happen all at once on January 1st; it happens day by day, month by month, through the application of spiritual principles.
I find that my own progress is rooted in simple, consistent rhythms:
● Daily Meditation: Entering the silence to hear the “still, small voice.”
● Walking in Nature: Reconnecting with the natural flow of life and the beauty of the Michigan landscape, even in the stillness of winter.
● Intentional Interaction: Recognizing the Divine in every person I meet.
A New Creation
This is the beginning, and it is powerful. As we move through January, let us commit to the practice of our principles. Let us hold the faith that this year is a clean slate. Through our devotion and our daily walks with the Divine, we don’t just wait for a better year—we create it.
Happy New Year filled with Peace!
In Love,
Rev. Ric Beattie, Senior Minister, Unity of Royal Oak
