Theses types of articles are usually reserved for late December, and maybe I’ll write a follow-up then, but enough changes have taken place thus far in 2026 that I feel it appropriate to share my thoughts now.

For the record, I’m one of the biggest creatures of habit you’ll know. I love my routine and I treasure stability. It keeps me grounded despite leading a very demanding life. In fact, I’d argue my life is both demanding and chaotic. I tend to catastrophize any little thing just to get off my ass to make things happen. Maybe that’s the ADHD talking? My therapist has diagnosed me three separate times so I think it’s safe to say I have it. That said, for whatever reason, I prefer to try to deal with it holistically. Yours truly is not a fan of Big Pharma and the idea of popping a bill to make everything better isn’t my cup of idea. Then again, to dismiss modern medicine in such way is also a gross oversimplification. In any event, I’m working on it holistically. That said, the diagnosis explains a lot. Had I known way back when, it would have helped me in school, with the LSAT, even with the bar exam. But if my aunt had stones, she’d be my uncle. What-if’s and hypotheticals aren’t worth my time. Still, the knowledge most certainly is.

2026 saw me change in many ways. I lost someone who I loved dearly and will never get back. I stopped covering bodybuilding shows because it was apparent to me that I was working myself into the ground to be part of a community that truly didn’t want me. They wanted the work I performed, the buzz I created, and the time I invested, but was I ever truly part of the community? Did I socialize with them outside of the shows? Was I included in the planning of shows? No. I was simply working tirelessly under some sad illusion that I would belong one day. And that speaks to a whole host of situations in my life. Although I have a very strong sense of self and self-worth, I find that I like to please people and that I need validation. When you couple these insecurities with a hate for change, then you can easily find yourself stuck. Stuck at a job you hate, stuck doing something that doesn’t better you, stuck in relationships that aren’t good for you. One such relationship ended just about a week ago – after nearly 20 years of working together. I didn’t realize it till now, but sometimes you really are stuck. The way it ended, made everything crystal clear to me about the actual relationship we had. For years, I put up with so much abuse because of the friendship, but that was never a friendship. I was stuck and I didn’t realize it. But hey, hindsight is 20/20, right?

One of the good things that happened in 2026 is that I’ve gone pretty religiously (pun intended) to church. One of the first times I stepped foot back into a parish was during my visit to El Salvador in 2024. I went into the Metropolitan Cathedral in San Salvador, confessed to a priest, and felt a tremendous burden had been lifted from my soul. When I returned to the United States, I started attending mass at St. Rita Catholic Church. I even wanted to join the Knights of Columbus. And perhaps one day I’ll do that, but for now, I try to go to mass at least twice a month. The screaming children sometimes drive me insane and make me wonder why their parents don’t do us all a favor and hire a sitter, but that’s probably the ADHD talking so I just try to filter them out and make sense of the biblical passages that might as well be in Chinese. I can’t make heads or tails about by why Saul left his goat in Josiah’s barn or why some dude in Judah decided to eat unleavened bread, but I feel very spiritual in church and I feel a oneness with God while I’m there. That’s why I go, and it’s improved my quality of life. I also use the time to reflect on my life, think about my dad, and pray for my loved ones. I also reflect on what’s going on in my life. For example, I can’t tell you how many times I prayed about the job I hated and the way I was treated. The same way I poured my guts out to my therapist each week, I gave God an earful.

For the record, I absolutely love being a lawyer and I love the work. In 2026, I had an issue in court with another lawyer who I like very much. I don’t think it was a major issue and I think it had more to do with the limitations of technology, but everything’s a learning experience. The goal is always to be the best lawyer possible and there are contexts for how to zealously advocate on behalf of a client. Did I learn from it? Absolutely. Will I expound on WTF I’m talking about – NYIET!!

2026 saw me finally change jobs!! What’s funny is that I wasn’t looking and my old employer reached out to me with a great offer The offer got better with some negotiating and I could see they really wanted me back. It wasn’t solely about the money though, it also had a great deal to do with joining a team of lawyers and legal professionals who I shared a common vision with. I wanted to work in a real team-environment with real mutual respect. I missed working at my old employer’s, from the monthly firm lunches, to the firm holiday dinner, to actually liking the people I worked with and them liking me. When I was approached I prayed on it and thankfully had a therapy session where I could speak to my therapist about it, as well. Everything about the opportunity was right, but I struggled. I loved the physical office I had (love the new one even more). I loved the view I had, I liked the cafeteria across the street, and I loved walking to court. Now, I’m a fifteen second walk from my car, don’t have to drive into downtown, and have several dozen restaurants at a rock’s throw. My daily commute has gone from 30 miles to 8 miles and my office is bigger, more comfortable, and no one constantly criticizes me or talks to me like I don’t matter. Nonetheless, the fact I didn’t jump at this offer from the jump, speaks to me hating change. Well guess what, sometimes CHANGE is the best thing that can happen to you.

All in all, I’m happy. I’m a little lonely at times, but I’ve always been a loner at heart. I love people and I love socializing, but I’m very much like my dad in the sense that I treasure my me-time. My best friend lives three hours away, another good friend lives 90 minutes away, and there’s a few folks here in Louisville who I really like. It’s not that I don’t have friends or that I couldn’t go out and make new ones, but I guess I just lack the effort. And when I’m around people, I dream of getting away to just be on my own. So then, am I truly lonely? Lol.

On another note, one thing I’d like to improve is my diet. I’m probably the heaviest I’ve been and it’s a result of anxiety eating. I do pretty well during the day; however, all bets are off at night. I don’t eat because I’m hungry, I eat either because I’m bored, stressed out, or maybe even if it’s been a great day and I’m over the moon. My relationship with food isn’t a terrible one, but it’s one I’d like to work on. I’d also like to get back into training, but I’m yearning for that spark. Once it happens, I’ll get back into clean eating and training like it’s no one’s business. The sooner, the better. I just don’t know why it always happens after I let myself go.

All in all, there’s work that remains to be done, but overall, I’m in a good place. I’m happy, but could be happier. I’m healthy, but could be healthier.

Oh yeah, and I went to Nicaragua in October (back after 20 years) and absolutely LOVED IT!! I might even go back in January if I can just LIVE A LITTLE (more). I need to get more in the habit of treating myself.

In any event, thanks for reading along, and taking an interest in me.