Taking a Bit of Wisdom from Proverbs into 2026

I read through the book of Proverbs in December, which many of you know has 31 chapters, and you all know December has 31 days. So I will let you do the math. One thing that really stood out to me is that too much of a good thing is bad.

Some is good; some can be necessary; but too much is bad.

Here a few examples gleaned from Proverbs:

• Too much honey (or sugar, my addition)

• Too much meat

• Too much wine or other alcohol

• Too much sleep

• Too much rest

• Too many words

• Too much food

• Too much work

I haven’t provided the Bible references for each as I am feeling a bit lazy, plus I have self-imposing time restraints on writing this post. So I encourage you to read through Proverbs and see if you can find where all of the above are mentioned. Anyway, you can think of it as a game. (And you know how much I love games.)

Here are a few examples gleaned from my brain:

• Too much TV, social media, video games

• Too much coffee

• Too much water

• Too much recreation

• Too much exercise

• Too much frivolity

• Too much concern about ones health

• Too much guilt

Sometimes it is hard to say no to some of those things because it takes self-control, and also because we can deceive ourselves that either, IT is good for us, or, at least not harmful. So, it takes wisdom to determine our particular limits. What may be too much for me, may not be too much for you. In additions, we can also be excellent self-deceivers and excuse fabricators.

Navigating the TOO MUCH world takes wisdom, thoughtfulness, knowledge, and truthfulness. But the pay-offs can be huge.

At the end of 2026, we all want to be able to think that we lived this year well.

On that note, I want to recommend that you to watch a YouTube video by Daniel Pink, If You Want 2026 to be the Best Year of Your Life. I had never heard of him, but the other day my sister Paula told me about his free workbook, 2026: Designed. And since then I watched a couple of his videos, and have found his stuff helpful and encouraging.

Happy 2026! May it be filled with many joyous blessings.

Learning to say NO to too much,

Vanessa
www.vanessamarsden.com