Still SMILING...

..after a year of peaks and valleys many of us transversed on a macro and micro level. As yet another year ends and another begins, I am grateful for this life — and those I get to share it with personally (and professionally). That is what matters most: EACH OTHER. A truth I have probably never leaned into as much as the latter half of this year. Trying to be present as much as possible in the moment with whomever is there with me.

This led to certain tasks postponed — or taken off my “to do list” altogether. And how my usual two December e-newsletters got scaled back to one, as well as the annual Christmas card becoming a New Years one instead. Spoiler alert: You know what??? It is absolutely OKAY. Sometimes the weight we assign to small matters is pressure we unnecessarily place upon ourselves. So I opted for a softer and quieter end to 2025…in hopes a wave of gentleness of mind, body and spirit will usher in 2026. I wish the same for each of you. Try asking yourself more often what you actually need while also daily giving thanks for everything you already have.

For me, this has recently included celebrating the release of my first comic, plus enjoying the first “blended” holiday season with my kiddo, my boyfriend and his daughter. I am equally thankful for having a bit of time to decompress before I jump into a full teaching schedule in January and February at the yoga studio, in addition to several online classes and workshops hosted by Hugo House, Lighthouse Writers Workshop and The Loft Literary Center. I see these commitments as anchors in the beginning of a journey into 12 months I have yet to live.

Much awaits on the horizon. May it manifest into a HAPPY NEW YEAR for us all.

~Rachel