January 15th, 2020

Happy Holidays!

This holiday season, post-Thanksgiving, pre-New Year’s, has me feeling more than a little nostalgic.  I’m sure that it started just before TDay, at my High School Reunion, meeting old friends I haven’t seen in decades, remembering how we shared some incredible times together – growing up in the ‘60’s, civil rights strikes, marches against the war, walk on the moon, assassinations, great music, a rebel with a cause.   

Now, the decade of the teens is about to end as we enter 2020. 

Much to reflect on.  How did we get here?  Where are we going? Will we find our way?

I’m reminded of one of my favorite Lao Tzu quotes:

“If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself, if you want to eliminate all of the suffering in the world, then eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself.  Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation.”

I believe that self-transformation starts with self-care.  If we can’t take care of ourselves, how can we have the strength and courage to transform?  The New York Times had an inspiring article on this topic yesterday, by a Buddhist monk, Haemin Sunim.  The top of his list – breathe!  Just take a deep breath.  This holiday season, may you give yourself the gift of mindful breathing. 

For more on self-transformation, feel free to browse the Cultivating Connection page on our site, or, go directly to the section on Cultivating Connection on that page.  Brene Brown’s piece on Leadership is one of my favorites.

May you and your family have a happy, peaceful and breath-filled New Year, and every year.

Peter