Well, here we are at the beginning of 2026.
I have to tell you, when I was a kid, even thinking about the year 2026 seemed like it would have to be the Jetsons – flying cars, household robots and all kinds of technological changes.
We might not have all of that, but you have to admit, it’s kind of close.
Think of the Roombas that clean your house or the drones that can bring you deliveries.
No, cars may not fly, but some of them can drive themselves.
It’s a little crazy when you think about how far we’ve come. Heck, I’m a kid who had a rotary telephone and an antenna on top of the house to pick up different channels on the TV, of which there were maybe four.
I also remember completing a school report on a typewriter. A typewriter! How on earth did I ever do that?
As we approach a new year, you can’t help but think what could be coming in 2026. I have a feeling the technology is going to blow our minds.
But the truth of the matter is we have no real idea – none of us – of what’s coming. Sure we can predict and we can guess, but there is no definitive answer to what the future holds.
Many of us worry about what’s coming so much that we even try to make resolutions to change something about ourselves in 2026. But the kicker is without having information about what else could be happening, how can we really resolve anything?
You know who I think we should all try to be more like? Animals.
You had to figure I’d bring it back around to our four-legged friends somehow.
In fact, maybe I’ll make this my resolution for 2026. I’m going to try to be more like my cats. I think they have the right idea on how to approach life.
First of all, they are very ready to relax and nap. It’s not like they have bills to pay or car payments or any of the other stressors in our lives. They seek me out for snuggles and then they curl up for a nap.
That’s a pretty nice way to live.
They also play. They chase just about anything around the house. Sometimes they even smash into the furniture and certainly don’t seem to care too much when they look a little foolish or silly.
That must be freeing.
And oh, how they love to stretch. Have you ever watched a cat stretch? They put practically their whole body into it – tootsies and all. Man, I bet that feels good.
They also don’t look like they do a whole lot of worrying. In fact, when I find them resting on their bed against the radiator, they seem pretty darn content. Heck, they don’t even know the year is changing over. They don’t even mark time in any definitive way other than the rising and setting of the sun.
And even that doesn’t seem to always affect them – most of them sleep right through it! Although so do I most days, so, yeah.
They also really enjoy food. In fact, they can be quite demanding about it when they think it’s time to eat. I affectionately call some of them gluttons, but again, taking that kind of enjoyment out of life makes a lot of sense.
One of my cats in particular is rather insanely ornery. He’s always getting into something he shouldn’t or knocking items off shelves or walking across keyboards. Initially, I thought I maybe shouldn’t try to be like him in 2026, but you know what? A little orneriness never truly hurt anyone. Maybe it’ll be fun!
I think animals of all kinds have the right idea on how to navigate this world and as I head into the New Year, I’m going to try to be more like them. That’s my resolution for 2026.
I’ll face life the way my cats do.
Who knows? Maybe with that kind of attitude, 2026 will be the best year yet!
***
Jennifer Vanderau is the public relations coordinator for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and can be reached at [email protected]. The shelter accepts both monetary and pet supply donations. For more information, call the shelter at 717-263-5791 or visit the website www.cvas-pets.org. CVAS also operates a thrift store in Chambersburg. Help support the animals at the shelter by donating to or shopping at the store.
