This week marked the third anniversary of the passing of Zenmaster, Poet and Monk Thich Nhat Hanh. In recent years I’ve come to appreciate him as an example of inner strength. I hope this quote and video remind us of the peace within us. Blessings on your week ahead!

“We don’t need to wish our friends, ‘peace be with you.’ Peace is already with them. We only need to help them cultivate the habit of touching peace in every moment.” Thich Nhat Hanh

I am grateful to be home and settling into the new rhythm of a new year. My morning workout at the YMCA reminded me of the richness of everyday activity and everyday people. Following some wonderful holiday time with family near and far, my kids and I are all eager for the return to our friends at school and at work…blessings on your week ahead!

A Prayer for 2026

This year. This space. This wonder. This grace.

All gifted from the heart of God. For you. For me.

Our world is wonder. Our world is worry.

Both are made Holy by prayer and gratitude.

Let us encircle each other with kindness, understanding and mercy.

Let “Deo Gratias” be our new year prayer.

-adapted from Sr. Joyce Weller, DC.

Today is a new day, a day you’ve never lived before. Perhaps each little act of love can be like a note in a symphony. Perhaps each loving choice can become part of a harmony, a song to give God praise. With every new chance to love, say yes to blessing God’s name.

—Excerpted from 2026: A Book of Grace-Filled Days by Julia Walsh

Knowledge is fostered by curiosity; wisdom is fostered by awe. Awe precedes faith; it is the root of faith. We must be guided by awe to be worthy of faith. 
—Abraham Joshua Heschel

My recent travels have afforded me the gift of time to reflect, broadened perspective through the differing experiences and cultures of others, and an enhanced appreciation for the life I live and the gift of community that abounds within and around me. I treasure this gift of awareness and seek to integrate it into my daily flurry of life activities, personal and professional demands, and spiritual ups and downs. Perhaps this is my life journey.

Blessings on your holiday weeks ahead!

The Gift of Generosity

Gratitude and generosity coexist within us. We cannot nurture one without building up the other. Each quality shapes our mindset about and our posture toward being in this world. Resentment and selfishness grow in an environment of fear, unfreedom, and the perception that there is not enough—of anything—for everyone. Gratitude and generosity grow in an environment of faith and freedom. These virtues are honest responses to a world that brims over with God’s love for us.

—Excerpted from “Gratitude Leads to Generosity” by Vinita Hampton Wright

The Gift of Second Chances Today is a new day, a day you’ve never lived before. Perhaps each little act of love can be like a note in a symphony. Perhaps each loving choice can become part of a harmony, a song to give God praise. With every new chance to love, say yes to blessing God’s name. —Excerpted from 2026: A Book of Grace-Filled Days by Julia Walsh

Over the weekend I read Strong Ground by Brené Brown, one of my favorites! Her Ted Talk is below, as is a recent podcast I listened to last week, and I also share this poem contained in the book. I highly recommend checking out Brené if you’re not familiar with her research and work regarding leadership. Blessings on your week ahead!

Just Beyond Yourself -David Whyte

Just beyond yourself. It’s where you need to be. Half a step into self-forgetting and the rest restored by what you’ll meet. There is a road always beckoning. When you see the two sides of it closing together at that far horizon and deep in the foundations of your own heart at exactly the same time, that’s how you know it’s the road you have to follow. That’s how you know it’s where you have to go. That’s how you know you have to go. That’s how you know. Just beyond yourself, it’s where you need to be.