Your Curated Morning Christmas Edition!
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Welcome to Curated Morning. A compendium of news, information, and stories that economic development professionals, community development leaders and elected officials read every week to stay in touch with what is happening in our economy. This Week’s Curated Morning is simple. No lengthy, dense articles to read. No policy choices for you to ruminate over. No data centers to report opening or breaking ground. And enough of the AI business, too! Nope, just a simple reminiscence about Christmases past and hope for the year to come. What is your Christmas wish? What would you like in your stocking this year? My favorite Christmas ever was the “Hot Wheels” Christmas. That was the Christmas when Hot Wheels were all the rage. These little cars ran on orange plastic tracks that could be put together easily and required no batteries or power, just gravity. The most exciting part of the system was a loop that, with enough gravity and speed, the little cars circle through. Hot Wheels are making a comeback as my little grand-nephew is getting some track and cars this year. (Also, the vintage or ‘old school’ Hot Wheels are getting premium dollars these days) The basic starter set included several feet of track and a loop-de-loop. I knew I was getting it for Christmas because I found the package under my parents' bed while snooping for presents, a naughty habit I had. What I didn't know and what was hidden elsewhere were additional tracks, additional curves, and some additional cars. The fact that I can still remember these facts in detail fifty-plus years later tells you how meaningful this gift was. I can't forget the “Chuck Taylor Converse All-Star” Christmas. That was a good one. When I begged for these shoes so I could be ‘cool kid,’ my parents claimed the sneakers from JCPenney were good enough, thoroughly disappointing me. They then surprised me with a pair of red Converse All-Stars on Christmas, having stuck their budgetary neck out to buy the $12.95 shoes (circa 1972). Today, I simply wish for a Christmas with some good food, good drink, family, and a pair of warm socks. You know, that gift you looked down upon when you were younger, but now, when your feet are always freezing, you yearn for some nice, soft, warm socks that will keep your feet warm. As I look ahead to 2026, I hope for prosperity and fulfillment. Not just for me, but for my loved ones, and, frankly, for everyone. We currently live in a culture and environment of anger and “owning” those who disagree with us. I hope this stops or at least slows down in 2026. You can be happy and wish the same for others. My thinking is that there is enough for everyone. There is enough happiness, joy, peace, love, large screen 4K televisions, and cheap gas for everyone. In a recent post, Ryan Holiday writes about the things you can do to create better habits in 2026. Some of these will help you find peace and joy and move towards the light, the positive, and leave the negative behind. If enough of us do this, we will spread joy and love throughout our communities. Here are a few that struck me as necessary and applicable: Think Small -- Holiday references James Clear’s widely read book, Atomic Habits, in saying that small steps are the key to improvement in our daily lives. Small steps of 1% daily can compound over time. It reminds me of my Father telling me to save my money and how compound interest works. I didn’t understand the concept until later in life, but I do now. T Thinking small also speaks to those like me who often feel they have to ‘go big’ to feel they have accomplished something. My ex-spouse once said to me, “With you, it’s all or nothing.” I have to admit that that is sometimes true, and it has contributed to some of my proclivities that, at times, have held me back. So starting small gives you a sense of accomplishment and creates momentum. And momentum can generate all types of positive energy. Recently, I have reenergized my nascent love for drawing and sketching. I started with one black pen and a simple drawing. Now I’m looking at watercolor sets, numerous styled pens, sketch pads, and other art supplies. Who knows where this will take me? Accept Mediocrity -- Holiday writes, “One of the best rules I've heard as a writer is that the way to write a book is by producing 'two crappy pages a day.” It's by carving out a small win every day—getting words on the page—that a book is created.” In my efforts to write the next extraordinary New York Times bestseller, I have often gone on streaks wherein I consistently write 1,000 words a day. It usually takes me about an hour. It works. My latest endeavor is up to about 30,000 words. In my blog posts, I write a lot about Flow and how to get ‘into’ Flow, and the impact it can have on your productivity. When in Flow, you can generate an enormous amount of work in a very short time. Learning to trigger flow while accepting mediocrity can be a spicy combination. Holiday offers other suggestions for a better 2026. I urge you to read the full post here and sign up for his newsletter. He is a modern-day philosopher and writer whom I know you will like. Here are my recommendations for the next two weeks: Enjoy the holidays, and spend time with your loved ones. Try not to argue about politics. If you feel the urge to be combative, go with the merits and prospects of your favorite NFL team (Go Bears) or College Football playoffs instead. Curated Morning is taking next week off to contemplate the new year and make a few minor adjustments to the newsletter format. I hope to see you in the new year, and here is to your prosperity and the prosperity of the communities in which you live. Thanks for Subscribing and Reading If you know someone who might enjoy this newsletter, please feel free to share it with them. If someone forwarded this to you and you would like to subscribe, you can do so by clicking below. All the cool people are doing it!
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