Every year, I choose a single word to hold my attention and shape my listening. Not a goal and not a slogan, but a lens. A way to notice what is already happening instead of forcing something new. This year, the word arrived quietly and kept returning when I was not looking for it.

Adaptation found me in memory, in stillness, and in the slow recognition that the season I have been living in is changing. What once kept me safe is now asking to grow. What once felt like shelter is beginning to feel like a doorway.

This is a reflection on sanctuary, on healing, and on the moment when refuge turns into readiness.

Before we dive headfirst into our goals for the year, let’s pause and ask a deeper question: What will you do when you arrive? It’s easy to get caught up in striving for change, but what if the most meaningful work is learning to welcome ourselves just as we are? In this post, we’ll explore the art of intentional living, reframing goal-setting, and finding peace in the journey by starting with self-compassion.

As we prepare to step into 2025, let us embrace the beauty of transition—the space between what was and what will be. This post reflects on the lessons of 2024, the importance of setting intentions over resolutions, and the power of letting go to make room for new growth. As we navigate uncertainty and change, let’s move forward with gratitude and the intention to become the best versions of ourselves in the year ahead.

Dear Muse,
You find me again—this time near the food court, where the air hums thick with fried sweetness and voices clash like windblown leaves. You have no preference for silence. Instead, you arrive when the world is loud, when the neon lights pulse like heartbeats, when mothers hush babies, and the cashier’s scanner beeps its rhythm. Amidst the noise, I find clarity. You make me see the world through a different lens—the man with two bags of onions, the teenager in black boots, the woman whose hands tell more stories than her face. It’s here, in the chaos, where I lose myself and, paradoxically, find everything.

As we move through the busyness of the holiday season, it's a perfect time to reflect on the importance of family connection. In a world full of distractions, nurturing our relationships requires intentional presence and love. Here are simple ways to stay grounded in what matters most and strengthen the bonds that sustain us through both the good times and the challenges.

Discover insights on nurturing relationships and building strong, supportive communities. From the joys and challenges of family life to fostering meaningful connections, this section celebrates the ties that bind us together.

Step into a world of adventure, resilience, and intentional living. Through stories of love, loss, and triumph, you’ll journey alongside a life richly lived, from supporting thousands of births to navigating the seas as a sailor. This isn’t just a collection of tales; it’s an invitation to grow, to find meaning, and to uncover the wisdom woven into life’s most challenging and beautiful moments.

I share because my story has purpose. From the silence of a teenager coping with trauma to the freedom of finding my voice, my journey is one of healing, connection, and resilience. By sharing my experiences, I hope to inspire others to see that they are not alone, and to offer comfort and understanding through the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Writing has been my lifeline, a way to heal, explore, and connect, from a teenager navigating trauma to a mother chronicling fleeting family moments. It is my anchor in grief, my celebration of joy, and my bridge to future generations. Writing is not just what I do; it is who I am.