For many of us, today marks the first day of a new week in this new year. For others, that day begins tomorrow.
Some of us are carefully planning our workweek, while others are already in action. But no matter how you track your days and weeks, I invite you to pause and consider this moment—right now.
The present is a gift. A gift we did nothing to earn, cannot buy, and cannot give away. Yet, we can squander it. We can limit its fullness by obsessing over what did or didn’t happen in the past, or by anxiously anticipating what may or may not come in the future. In doing so, we risk spiraling into stagnation or destruction.
Worse still, we might use that same restless energy to distract others from embracing their present. We can unintentionally absorb their time with our presence, intrusive thoughts, and words. We can make every interaction about us, subtly influencing how they—and we—perceive this shared gift of time.
We often don’t realize how much power we wield until it’s too late. With broad, reckless strokes, we paint our lives with globs of shame, guilt, ego, pride, and pain. The collateral damage? Friends, family, coworkers, and even strangers caught in our emotional splash zones.
Loneliness often disguises itself in social media posts, cryptic messages, and silent withdrawals. These broadcasts trigger reactions we interpret through our unique lens—positive or negative, loving or unkind, good or evil. Some of us struggle with the stillness of self-reflection, where inner thoughts drizzle and then pour out. Others thrive in solitude, finding it a sacred space to pause, rest, and piece together the threads of their reality.
You might find peace in silence, nature’s soft sounds, or the hum of bustling crowds. Perhaps it’s in the embrace of deep sleep or the lively buzz of conversation.
No matter your preference, honor the gift of presence. Exclude distractions, be fully immersed, and let each moment unfold as it is—whether alone or surrounded by others.
Happy New Year!
Love,
Natasha
Natasha 