In a recent LinkedIn post, Leslie Venetz shares her thought process for selecting guiding themes for 2026, opting for ‘Unity’ and ‘Ascension’ over more conventional aspirations like ‘balance’ or ‘ease’ in the face of significant global challenges.
Venetz begins by acknowledging the difficulty in focusing on personal well-being goals when confronted with widespread suffering. She writes:
I struggled to pick my *themes* for 2026.
It felt weird to wish for things like balance or ease while watching a gen0cide unfold on tiktok or watching another report of our neighbors being k*dnapped or worse.
This initial reflection sets the stage for her reevaluation of what she truly seeks for the upcoming year. Instead of ‘balance,’ which she perceives as potentially leading to a desire for unattainable perfection, Venetz lands on ‘Unity’ as a more resonant and grounding concept.
The Power of Unity Beyond Duality
Leslie Venetz elaborates on her choice of ‘Unity,’ explaining that it addresses the inherent ‘duality’ that plagues life. She contrasts the idea of perfect balance with the dynamic nature of unity, using a vivid natural image to illustrate her point.
When I think of Unity, I imagine a river or maybe more like. babbling brook.
The water is cold, the air is fresh and the rocks surrounded the bank are covered in bright green moss.
The river is always the same, but it is also always in motion and always change.
Both things can be true.
According to Venetz, this metaphor captures the essence of unity: a state that is both constant and in flux, acknowledging that opposing forces can coexist. This perspective offers a more nuanced approach to navigating life’s complexities than a simple pursuit of balance.
Ascension: A Commitment to Personal Growth
The second theme Venetz identifies is ‘Ascension.’ She defines this as a dedicated effort towards self-improvement across multiple dimensions of her life.
Invest in my mind, body, and spirit to become my very favorite version of myself.
Operating at a higher level with fewer self-limiting beliefs.
As Leslie Venetz explains, Ascension is about elevating her personal state by actively nurturing her mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. This theme centers on shedding internal limitations and striving for a more evolved and empowered self.
Seeking Shared Intentions
Concluding her post, Venetz invites her network to engage by sharing their own intentions or themes for the year. This call to action encourages a communal reflection on personal goals and aspirations.
Venetz’s approach to theme-setting highlights a mature consideration of personal growth within the context of broader societal and global realities. By choosing Unity and Ascension, she signals a commitment to inner resilience and holistic self-development, even amidst uncertainty.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Leslie Venetz on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on January 25, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →