I believe that even in the in-between we are not alone, and we are fundamentally safe. We can take steps to trust the process and lean into this in-between experience of life. You never know where it will lead you, which is the unbearable and unavoidable truth of being human

For all the emphasis on celebration and family bonding and traditions - which can be very nice, don’t get me wrong - there is often an undercurrent of mixed emotions.

I’ve been reading a book called Why We Sleep (2017) by the neuroscience and psychology professor Matthew Walker. His data and insights about how sleep impacts our health and well-being is motivating to me. I’ve definitely been giving myself more sleep opportunity (time spent in bed each night, ready to sleep) and I have noticed a daily improvement in my focus, energy and resilience. I like it! If sleep were a medication, Walker quips, we’d all want it.

I am leaning into my basics: prioritizing a good night’s sleep, eating well, moving my body, and staying connected to loved ones. By using these and other “Regulating Resources” I - and you - can strengthen resilience in these challenging times. I invite you to read about Regulating Resources and how to create your personalized list of resources

This past year of the pandemic has been one of forced short-sightedness, and it has been painful. Now we are being pushed back towards a long view, which can be soothing in some ways and also holds its own discomfort. For some it may be a welcome shift, and for others it may cause feelings of stress and anxiety. For all of us, it brings a change in perspective after a year unlike any we have lived through.