Inflection points

2026 Year of the Fire Horse

In every life there is a turning point. A moment so tremendous, so sharp and clear that you feels as if you’ve been hit in the chest, all the breath knocked out. And you know, with absolute clarity, that your life will never be the same.

Life can change really fast. Sometimes it’s something horrible, a cancer diagnosis or the unexpected death of a loved one or friend. This week it was something wonderful. As most of you who read my musings know this past year has been one of challenge, and disappointment and sadness. It has also been a time of transformation and change, months of refocusing and identifying priorities and direction. It has been a time of waiting. It felt a bit like holding your breath. You know something is coming but you don’t know what it is. You can’t yet see it and it’s frustrating and uncomfortable.

Last year was the Year of the Wood Snake. Characterized by shedding the old and embracing self improvement. It’s an inward looking year. One of introspection. Identifying things and people who will no longer continue with you on your journey. This can be for many reasons; the practice no longer fits with who you choose to become, friends whose life paths or interests no longer align with yours. Or it can also be a change in relationships. A re-establishment of boundaries with family or recalibration of interactions with friends.

When a life change is on the horizon you’ll spend a great deal of time cleaning out the old to make way for the new. That time has ended.

2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, characterized by rapid change, high energy, independance and passion. And I confess 2026 is starting off to be full of that vibe. After 8 years at a job I loved with people I loved working with I have embarked on a new adventure.

This past Thursday I was sworn in by City of Buffalo Mayor, Sean Ryan. I will work for his administration for the next 4 years, and hopefully longer. It is one of the changes I have been waiting for.

I am proud to serve with people who are full of passion and the commitment to serve others. This first week I was reminded sometimes we forget to dream big because we are surrounded by reasons to stay small. And I felt that. I realized I was doing that in both my personal and professional life. No more.

So this is my reminder to all of you to dream big. Even though the world will give you a million reasons to stay small. Because you never know what life has in store for you. And maybe The Year of the Horse will catapult you, as it did me, into the life you dreamed of.