CHOOSE GRATITUDE...

…over discontent whenever possible. I don’t know about y’all…but after a string of good days, I’m a little surprised sometimes when the next challenging or stressful one occurs. That is when I have to remind myself of the all gifts (BIG and small) that are already present in my life. I snapped this photo while doing kitchen clean-up after this year’s T-Day dinner. It was definitely the least enjoyable part of an otherwise very pleasant day. So I paused to snap a few selfies = A visual reminder that good vibes were still flowing through me — and around me.

Now that the holiday season has officially begun, I know trying to ignore minor imperfections in the next round of meal prepping, gift wrapping or holiday decorating will feel like a mental obstacle course on more than one occasion over the next four weeks. Which is why I will be using the following five ‘anchors’ when my nervous system is in need of a reset:

1. My Fall 2025 playlist! (*I am heavily biased, of course. But these really do keep getting better and better!)

2. The release of my first comic as a part of EC Comics next installment of Catacomb of Torment. (*See a “sneak peek” of the cover here.)

3. YOGA. (*Maybe followed by a sauna and/or cold plunge sesh at Carpe Diem Studio.)

4. WRITING. (And helping others learn how to turn it into a “real job.”)

5. Cuddle time with my sweet pup. (*She’s still the BEST snuggler in the house.)

I am also keeping this November newsletter on the shorter side…because you know I like to “double-up” in December. Got any books you think should be added to my Christmas wish list??? “Lessons from Plants” by Beronda Montgomery is the solo title I have on it thus far. However if only one book ends up under the tree for me, it means I must have landed on Santa’s naughty list — AGAIN. ~Rachel