The year 2026 has begun.
A new year always arrives carrying more than dates and diaries — it brings expectation, pressure, and possibility in equal measure. As I entered this year intentionally, during my morning meditation, a single phrase arrested my attention: “Do not be anxious.”
In the original Koine Greek, mē merimnate — do not be mentally split or torn in multiple directions.
I smiled, recognising how relevant this ancient wisdom feels at the threshold of a new year.
Anxiety, at its core, is fragmentation. A scattering of attention. A loss of inner alignment. And perhaps that is why this message felt so timely — because every new year tempts us to rush ahead before we are fully rooted.
Moments later, as meaning often layers itself through lived experience, I scrolled Instagram and saw photos of Tony O. Elumelu, CFR — smiling as Heirs Energies celebrated its 20% acquisition of Seplat Energy Plc. Beyond the business headline, what struck me was not the transaction itself, but the posture behind it: patience, long-term thinking, and value creation rooted in purpose.
Almost instinctively, I recalled a video Tony Robbins once shared: “Business is a spiritual game”. If you get that, you won’t just think about selling — it’s not that.
All religions share one fundamental truth: Love thy neighbor as thyself. At that moment, an image formed clearly in my mind.
The Value Bus
I imagined a bus moving through life. At each stop, the bus picks up passengers: Ideas; Opportunities; Collaborations; People who need value; Some passengers get on briefly. Others stay for miles. A few become part of the long journey.
But here is the part many miss: The bus only grows when the driver becomes obsessed with adding value. Not extracting. Not performing. But contributing.
The more the driver focuses on lifting others — giving more than anyone else in their category — the further the bus travels: Expansion; Impact; Freedom. This is not accidental growth. It is aligned growth. From Taxi to Bus: Conscious Scaling
One of the most powerful responses to this reflection came from Abigail Lombard, a skills development specialist. She shared:
“I started with a taxi. I grew into a bus. I’m constantly working on upgrades on my bus — reflecting on what works and what doesn’t work on my journey, then building on what does work. Aligning myself with purpose regularly is what fuels my bus. However, when challenges come, it’s hard not to go to the mechanic sometimes. This is where I find new determination and peace again to manage my team.”
Her words reveal a leadership truth we often overlook: Growth requires maintenance.
No bus scales without: Reflection; Realignment; Repair.
Going to the “mechanic” is not failure. It is wisdom. It is the humility to pause, recalibrate, and return to the road stronger. Sustainable leadership honours restoration as much as acceleration.
Awareness as a passenger
Another perspective came from Rehana Rutti, marketing and partnerships strategist, who wrote:
“On my bus, I pick up awareness at every stop, riding with the present moment and letting go of expectations.”
Awareness may be one of the most undervalued leadership assets. When awareness rides the bus, urgency softens. Ego loosens its grip. We engage with reality as it is, not merely as we hoped it would be.
Letting go of expectations does not mean lowering standards. It means staying present enough to respond wisely.
The catalyst of change
Across these reflections, one truth stands firm: Change does not begin with circumstances. It begins with choice.
The catalyst of transformation is the decision to engage fully with whatever arrives — opportunity, challenge, pause, or redirection — and convert it into fuel rather than friction. Every stop becomes meaningful when met with intention.
Protecting the Bus: Structure and stewardship
A vital dimension was added by Bukunola Somolu, Legal, Tax, Restructuring, and Cross-Border lawyer, who framed value through a governance and risk lens.
He spoke about: Maintaining brand identity; Fortifying asset classes; Protecting brand integrity; Shielding organisations from major losses; Creating platforms that secure and advance diverse interests
His insight reminds us that value is not only created — it must be protected.
A bus that grows without structure eventually breaks down. Systems, ethics, legal frameworks, and stewardship are not constraints; they are enablers of longevity.
Do not be pulled apart
Which brings me back to where this reflection began. Mē merimnate. Do not be pulled apart. Anxiety fragments vision. Alignment integrates purpose.
When your life becomes a Value Bus: Service becomes strategy; Contribution becomes currency; Alignment becomes acceleration; You stop chasing doors — and doors begin opening where you didn’t even knock.
A 2026 invitation
As we step into 2026, my reflection is simple: Let your life be a Value Bus. Drive with intention. Pause for maintenance when needed. Pick up awareness, purpose, and people along the way. Protect what you are building. And above all, remain aligned.
Because when value leads, growth follows — quietly, steadily, and sustainably. And that may be the most spiritual game of all.
