• by Dave Morgan , Featured Contributor, Yesterday

I love every new day. I love every new year. I am super-excited for 2026, even if the craziness and dynamism in the economy, politics, environment and international security all provide cause for worry about the less-than-great things that might happen.

Still, it probably goes unsaid that I am an optimist. Here are some of the issues on my mind as we enter 2026.

Excitement. Advances in technology, communication and logistics mean that more people in the world will have access to more and better products and services at better prices than ever before. More folks will be educated, and more basic survival needs will be met for more people than ever before.

Yes, there are plenty of bad things in the world -- but the good things are really good, and getting better.

Concern. War, political conflict, poor leadership and natural disasters will, unfortunately, deprive many hundreds of millions of people around the world of the life they and their families should have -- particularly the most vulnerable. Those of us who can help, must.

Curiosity. So much is changing, particularly for those of us working in industries that are technology-driven through and through. I can’t wait to see what happens with AI. I expect to see more change in the media industry in the next three years than the Internet drove in the past 30. I can’t wait to see how we all respond and deal with these changes, since I believe strongly that change brings opportunity.

Commitment. For me, excitement about the opportunities the future might bring dramatically outweighs fears and trepidation for the potential negative things that might happen. I believe each and every one of us can make a difference, and you should only worry about what you can affect.

I believe luck is the residue of design (thank you, Branch Rickey). And you either get better or you get worse -- you never stay the same. I start this year committed to spending my time taking action, not wasting it in hand-wringing.

Condolences. I’m at an age now where each year means losing some friends, most of them way, way too early (not that I believe there’s a “too late” in dying). It’s always hard. I worry for my friends’ families. I miss them. I worry for the loss of their contributions to the rest of us. But I find more solace in what they have contributed to the rest of us and the differences that they have made.

Here’s to what will be a wonderful -- and probably crazy -- 2026. Let’s go!