As the year 2025 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on its twists and turns through the lens of Taoism. The Tao teaches us to flow with the natural rhythms of life, embracing both harmony and disruption as part of the eternal dance. In this year-in-review post, I’ll share my personal journey—marked by health challenges, professional milestones, and areas ripe for growth—while weaving in Taoist wisdom to illuminate how these experiences align with ideals like wu wei (effortless action), acceptance of impermanence, and living in balance with the universe. Let’s dive in.

Navigating Health Challenges with Acceptance

This year tested my physical resilience in profound ways. It began with broken ribs from a adjustment gone wrong in January, which sidelined me for months and taught me the fragility of the body. As the ribs wrapped up their 6 month healing process random blackouts when standing and walking started, in the end being diagnosed as asthma. By fall, persistent neck and shoulder issues emerged, stemming from poor posture during long work hours and lingering tension from earlier injuries. These ailments spanned the entire year, ebbing and flowing like the tides, reminding me that health is not a static state but a dynamic process.

From a Taoist perspective, these setbacks embody the principle of impermanence (wu chang). The Tao Te Ching reminds us that “all things change,” and resisting pain only amplifies suffering. Instead of fighting these issues, I practiced acceptance—viewing them as invitations to slow down, listen to my body’s signals, and align with nature’s cycles. I sought balance rather than conquest, embodying wu wei by allowing healing to unfold naturally. This approach transformed frustration into growth, fostering deeper compassion for myself and others facing similar trials.

Celebrating Milestones in Work and Life

Amid the challenges, 2025 brought moments of joy and progress that highlighted the Tao’s emphasis on harmony and opportunity. Professionally, I advocated for myself by requesting a promotion in mid-year; while not immediately granted, the response was encouraging—no outright denial, just thoughtful consideration that opened doors for dialogue. Even more exciting, a new position is in process for my staff, a lead position. Speaking of which, I marked my second full year at this inspiring institution, where innovative minds converge to advance knowledge—a setting that feels in perfect sync with Taoist ideals of communal flow.

On a personal note, celebrating my first wedding anniversary in September was a heartfelt highlight, a reminder of love’s enduring current amid life’s streams. Taoism views such achievements not as conquests but as natural alignments with the Tao. By acting without force—simply expressing my needs and trusting the process—I experienced wu wei in action. These successes underscore the importance of balance: work and relationships thrive when we harmonize ambition with patience, much like the yin and yang in eternal interplay.

Areas for Growth: Aligning with the Tao’s Path

Looking ahead, I recognize several opportunities for improvement, guided by Taoist principles of continuous adaptation and inner cultivation. First, prioritizing overall health remains key; I’ll commit to holistic practices like acupuncture, Tai Chi, and mindful nutrition to address lingering issues proactively. Meditation, a cornerstone of my routine, faced setbacks this year due to distractions and fatigue—I’ll work to rebuild consistency, drawing on the Tao’s call to stillness amid chaos.

I also aim to enhance my flow states, those effortless zones of creativity where time dissolves, by incorporating more unstructured time in nature. Creatively, learning 3D modeling skills excites me; I plan to master the basics and launch a small business selling digital models, turning passion into purposeful action without overstriving. Later in the year, I may pursue a master’s or doctorate, but only if it feels like a natural extension of my path, avoiding forced ambition.

In Taoist terms, these goals reflect ziran (naturalness)—improving not through rigid plans but by flowing with inner potential. Setbacks in meditation, for instance, mirror the Tao’s reminder that true progress arises from non-interference, allowing insights to emerge organically. By focusing here, I honor the ideal of self-cultivation, evolving in harmony with the universe.

As we bid farewell to 2025, I wish you all a Happy New Year filled with peace and possibility. May 2026 bring us closer to the Tao’s gentle current, where we embrace the future with open hearts, trusting that every bend in the river leads to greater wisdom and joy. Let’s flow forward together.