Last month at about this time, I was stressed because family was coming into town, and I was unprepared. I was looking forward to the New Year because how the holidays would go was an unknown—and I wanted to be on the other side of this one. January’s article, Welcoming the Unknown, was an inspiration to me, as I really wanted to “set a place at the table for delight” versus dreading the unknown and not enjoying the present moment. I’m happy to report that we had a great family visit with plenty to do, and I think we strengthened our relationships in the process. 

Another very recent change has me setting a place at the table for delight, and that is the very recent KnoWEwell acquisition of the Natural Awakenings family of magazines. You can read more about that in this month’s KnoWEwell and Natural Awakenings Join Forces on page 15. I don’t yet understand how the pieces fit together, but I’m happy to be part of a like-minded organization dedicated to whole health and sustainable living. 

I’m reminded again that change is inevitable and that we will always have to live with some level of unknowns. My default reaction doesn’t have to be fear, devising endless “what if” scenarios that usually don’t end with positive outcomes, leaving me stressed and depleted. A very viable option is welcoming the unknown—letting things unfold without putting spin on them and being more objective about what I truly think as I observe the unfolding. I prefer the latter.

Wishing you a happy Valentine’s Day and a month of welcoming the unknown,

Shannon