WINSTON WEEKLY[1]

January 4, 2026

Vol. 4, No. 1

WHY WISH?

As a new year begins, I am shifting away from monthly themes and reflecting on a quote from the first edition of Winston Weekly on December 31, 2023, “Peace. Hope. Love.” Some of you may recall that the first edition was inspired in part by John Masiulionis’ request at the end of an interview on December 22, 2023 to share three wishes. Those wishes are as important today as they were two years ago.  

Lailah Gifty Akita said, “Wishes are possibilities. Dare to make a wish.” For you or people you may know, peace, hope, and/or love are rarely certain or constant. Many of us, regardless of age, can relate to “split days,” a phrase coined by Red Wing, Minnesota native James Chalmers. On split days, positivity flails or seems non-existent, pushing us into negativity. Although James has endured more than his share of negativity, he focuses on downsizing the negatives. James views negatives as “detours” or “learning opportunities.”

Born in 1971, James and his parents spent years trying to understand the reasons for his limitations. James was eventually diagnosed with Cri du Chat Syndrome, a rare disease that hampers cognitive development. Despite his limitations, James ran marathons for many years and was part of the Athlete Leadership Program through the Special Olympics. He remains active in the Special Olympics, serves as a coach and speaker, and works for Red Wing Shoe Company. As his mother, Karen, said: “When we have a purpose in life, then we’re full of enthusiasm and it really makes a life worth living.”

WEEKLY ACTIVITY

Instead of New Year’s resolutions, write down three wishes that give you purpose. Consider how those wishes can change the inevitable negative days into positive detours or learning opportunities. If you have or interact with young children, the sweet and simple picture book, I Wish You More, is sure to generate ideas for both you and a child.  

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[1] A weekly blog/newsletter by Alysen Bayles to be shared with the appropriate attribute. Resources: Winston Weekly, Vol. 1, No. 1, Dec. 31, 2023; Children’s Book Spotlight Series, #192, YouTube, Dec. 22, 2023; James Chambers was a guest of John O’Leary of Live Inspired on December 1, 2025,  https://you.tu.be/buR8zOjfa8s; https://johnolearyinspires.com/; A ‘complete’ experience for Chalmers, Republican Eagle, Red Wing Newsroom, Jan. 15, 2009; updated June 7, 2021; Amy Rouse Rosenthal, I Wish You More, Chronicle Books, 2015.