BOWWBLOG #37: The Evolution Equation: How a Handful of Quiet Minutes is Changing how 2026 is Unfolding for Me
Why letting go of the grand resolution led to my most consistent, joyful start yet
WHAT: The Freedom of a Single Day
My New Year’s shift in attitude—from Resolution to Evolution—has quietly created more momentum in me than any list of goals ever did.
By freeing myself from the pressure of that big, daunting list and the inner compulsion to “do all of it perfectly,” something unexpected happened: my actions began to flow naturally.
The first three weeks of January didn't feel like a frantic rush to overcome the holiday haze. Instead, it became a gentle, daily inquiry: “What small, true thing can I do right now, today, that moves me in the direction of wholeness?”
And I did it—not with force, but with a surprising consistency. The secret was embarrassingly simple: I focused only on today. Not the long stretch of the week, the month, or the daunting year ahead.
This same spirit birthed our Daily Mindfulness Meditation Container (DMMC). Starting January 2nd, we invited a small group to join a daily 30-minute practice: a brief check-in, a short reflection, and 20 minutes of silent mindfulness. No grand promises, just a simple commitment to show up, together, day by day.
SO WHAT: The Ripples of a Gentle Practice
This evolutionary approach began to ripple out. I glanced at my health app and found I was taking 4-5 times more daily steps than last year, not because I “had to,” but because moving my body felt like a natural extension of being present.
In my village, the Zumba community meets regularly. I offered to lead the first 30 minutes teaching Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi as a warm-up. This became an embodiment of my core values: Integrity (modeling the practice), Intimacy (meeting each person where they are), and Impact (participants sharing how 18 slow movements could be so challenging, healing, and relaxing all at once).
The DMMC group, while small, became a powerful container. The shared experiences of this “motley crew” of 6-8 practitioners were profound:
“The shift for me has been from wanting to control everything to letting go with acceptance and grace. That shift is making me smile a whole lot more.” — Myda F.
“A colleague actually commented that I 'exude a calm aura these days.'” — Kay P.
“I am becoming friendlier with my thoughts… letting myself go with the flow of the day.” — Yiessa B.
“I am now looking at things in a more nuanced way.” — Kitty F.
“ I notice how my breath is so connected with my emotions!” — Christine C.
Their words are the real evidence. It’s not about dramatic change, but a subtle, powerful re-orientation from struggle to flow, from reaction to gentle awareness.
NOW WHAT: Discover Your Own "Evolution Equation"
The lesson is clear: transformation doesn’t require a massive overhaul. It thrives on small, daily returns to what matters most.
Your Call to Action: The 3-Minute Morning Alignment
This week, I invite you to experiment with your own “Evolution Equation.” It takes less time than brewing your morning coffee.
1. Pause (1 minute): Upon waking, before checking your phone, sit on the edge of your bed. Feel your feet on the floor. Take three slow, deep breaths.
2. Ask (1 minute): Gently ask yourself: “What is one small, kind action that would support my well-being today?” It could be drinking a glass of warm water first, a five-minute walk, or pausing before replying to a difficult email. Let the answer arise; don't force it.
3. Set Your Intention (1 minute): Whisper that intention to yourself. For example: “Today, I will move with patience,” or “Today, I will listen fully.” Carry this as your gentle guide.
That’s it. You are not building a new you. You are aligning with the wholeness that is already there, one conscious, forgiving day at a time.
What is your "one small, kind action" today? Share it in the comments as a quiet commitment to your own evolution. Let’s witness each other’s gentle unfurling.
-Susan Grace Rivera
Posted on: January 25, 2026