I'm Gretchen Rubin, and this is a little happier.

Every year on the Happier podcast, my sister and co-host, Elizabeth, and I do three

design-year exercises tied to the year. So for this year, 26. We encourage listeners to do

these exercises, too. First, we make a yearly list. So this year I made a list of 26 things I want to do

in 2026. Second, we have an annual challenge. This year, it's move 26 and 26, which means we're

challenging ourselves and listeners to move our bodies for 26 minutes every day in 2026. The third exercise

is perhaps the most imaginative to choose a one-word or one-phrase theme for the year to

clarify what you want to pursue or bring into your life over the next 12 months. In previous years, I've had one-word

themes like bigger, repurpose, wave, and salt. This year, my word is neighbor. I year for more

neighborliness in the world, so I decided to start with myself.

After I announced my word, several thoughtful listeners wrote to tell me that for a Super Bowl

commercial for Redfin, Lady Gaga recorded a cover of Won't You Be My Neighbor, the theme

song for the iconic children's TV show, Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.

I have watched that video about 50 times, and I get choked up every time.

I was trying to figure out why this song moved me so much, and I realized that it's because it gives me what I call my America

feeling. I get my America feeling when I see the Statue of Liberty, or read the preamble to

the Constitution, or vote, or listen to the song, The Farmer and the Cowman from the Musical,

Oklahoma. To me, the simple words of this children's

theme song articulate one of the great dreams of the United States. I have always wanted to have a

neighbor just like you. I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you. So let's make the most of this beautiful day.

Since we're together, we might as well say, would you be mine?

Could you be mine?

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