It’s still January, and I’m still reflecting on 2025. This was a tough year for me: I lost three loved ones in eight months. On top of that my formerly hale and hearty 90+ year-old dad who had still been working out at the gym not once, but twice a day last spring, had a stroke. He’s recovering well all things considered. These days dad’s workouts are with a physical therapist at home, and he does laps around his kitchen using his walker. This is the man who taught me the power of positive thinking, and he continues to inspire me.

But keeping an optimistic attitude with all of that plus world events, has been a stretch some days. That’s why my toast for the New Year went something like this:

“Twenty-twenty-five, don’t let the door hit you on the way out!”

I know I’m not alone. Given all that has happened in politics, economics, and concerning the environment in twelve dizzying months, I’ve had only one acquaintance who says 2025 was a stellar year for her.

Looking ahead, I know all I can reliably change is how I respond to what 2026 has in store. 

One sure way for me to add pleasure and meaning to my life, in spite of everything, is to share what I learn from dreams, creative writing, and cultivating everyday joy with all of you.

When we build our courage and resilience in these ways, we can heal and nurture ourselves and become more effective helpers in our communities and beyond.

A moment for wonder and joy

Here in New England we’ve had a couple of magically snow-covered winter days. And this morning I saw a little red fox darting across our neighbor’s snow-blanketed woodsy hill. Moments like this remind me that magic shimmers all around when we get still and pay attention. 

With all of the regular busy-ness of November and December, plus everything else that  I’ve been dealing with, I missed sending my monthly updates with you. You can catch up with these links to the top posts from November through January from my two online publications:

From “This Dream is a Poem,” my online publication about dreams and writing:

• Readers liked it when I let my inner rebel take up the pen. This post on griping on a day meant for gratitude was among the most-read posts in November. November was also the month that I successfully completed my 30 Poems in 30 Days fundraiser to provide education services to immigrants in our communities. Read it here.

• Not surprisingly, the most-read post on my site for December was when my inner Dream Doctor prescribed Chocolate as a remedy for grief. Read it here. 

From “The Life of H: Sarah, Reimagined,” where I translate Sarah’s story from biblical Hebrew into poetic and restorative English:

• I guess one reason the Bible remains the top selling book of all time is because the characters in it face life’s twists and turns, just as we do. And maybe that’s why so many of you enjoyed my November post about how my life, like Sarah’s, didn’t go exactly as planned. Read it here. 
• More recently, this month, I shared how a prayer first confounded, then comforted me, when I attended Friday night services to say the prayer for the dead. Read it here.

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