Enjoy Every Sandwich: A Simple Motto for 2026

Welcome to the first Monday of the New Year.
Usually, this is the week of grand declarations. I see so many messages telling us to "crush our goals," "reinvent ourselves," and hustle harder than ever before. But if you are reading this, I have a feeling you are looking for something different. You might be looking for a life that is less about more and more about meaning.

​That is why, for my very first Motivational Monday of 2026, I am turning to the late, great rock musician Warren Zevon.

The Wisdom of the Ordinary
In 2002, Warren Zevon appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman. He had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer and knew his time was short. When Letterman asked him if he had any wisdom to share about life and death, Zevon didn’t offer a complex philosophical treatise.

He simply smiled and said: “Enjoy every sandwich.”
It is a quote that hits harder the more I sit with it. He didn't say "climb every mountain." He chose the sandwich; the most ordinary, humble, everyday thing imaginable.

The Spark (Thanks, Colleen)
I have to give credit where credit is due. I didn't just stumble upon this theme for today's post, my dear friend Colleen gave me the nudge.

Recently, we were watching the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. She lives in another state, so we couldn't be in the same room. Instead, for the entire three hours of the show, we were texting back and forth, critiquing the live performances and cheering for our favorites.

When David Letterman took the stage to speak about Warren Zevon and the impact of that specific interview, the texts between Colleen and me shifted. We stopped talking about the spectacle of the show and started sharing memories of listening to Zevon growing up.

Then Colleen texted me: “I'm thinking you can quote that in your writings.”

She was right. In that moment, separated by miles but connected by music, memory, and a simple text message, I realized that this was the sandwich. It was also a powerful reminder that we never know the impact the words we speak may have on people. A simple quote from decades ago rippled through time to connect two friends today.
​So this year, let's choose our words wisely.

Why Simplicity Matters in 2026
You may have noticed that the photo for today is in black and white.

That is intentional. In fact, throughout 2026, I plan to use black and white photography exclusively. Why? Because color, while beautiful, can sometimes be just another form of noise.

Take the image above, for example. It is a humble, weathered building, perhaps an old store or a home that has stood by the road for decades. In color, you might get distracted by the blue of the sky or the shade of the dry grass. But stripped of that, you are forced to see the reality of the structure. You see the texture of the aging wood, the sharp shadows under the porch, and the quiet dignity of a place that has lasted.

Living simply is about stripping away the excess to see the structure underneath.

It is about shifting our focus from constantly acquiring more to deeply appreciating what is already here—like the history in those wooden boards. Black and white photography forces us to look at the light, the texture, and the subject without the distraction of color. It is my way of visually committing to a year of less noise and more focus.

My Challenge to You

This week, I challenge you to catch yourself rushing. When you do, stop. Take a breath. Look at who is right in front of you (or who is texting you from a state away).

Find the joy in the simple, dusty, beautiful reality of a Monday morning.
Enjoy every sandwich.