December

Cherishing What's Here

Reflecting back on December, I find myself contemplating presence—the practice of being fully here with what and who we have, right now. As the year draws to a close, it's so easy to leap ahead mentally: planning for 2026, worrying about tomorrow's to-do list, or putting off meaningful moments until some future time when everything "works out." But the future is never guaranteed, and the present is all we truly have.

This month, I've been acutely aware of time's finite nature through reminders of those who have passed and through my aging pups. They still play hard—chasing balls and squirrels, bounding along our walks with joy—but they sleep even harder now. This used to be flipped. Their faces have grown whiter, the gray seeming more pronounced with each passing week, as if being magnified to remind me: this time together won't last forever.

When these changes first set in, I started a nightly presence practice with them. I wanted to consciously witness and appreciate them, knowing our time together was finite and would be far too short.

This practice has grounded me and taught me something essential: presence isn't just for our relationships with others—it's for our relationship with ourselves, too. It has taught me to be more present and patient with them, with others, and with myself. How often do we put off self-care, meaningful conversations, or simple moments of connection because we're mentally elsewhere? How often do we discount the present because we're already in the future that's "right around the corner"?

Here are some ways to practice presence and cherish what's here:

• Come back to now - When you notice your mind leaping ahead, gently return to this moment and what's actually in front of you

• Acknowledge finite time - Let mortality be a teacher, not a threat; it shows us what deserves our full attention

• Create presence rituals - Like my nightly practice with my dogs, find small ways to consciously appreciate who and what matters

• Extend presence to yourself - Don't save self-compassion and care for "someday"; you deserve your own attention now

  
  

When you catch yourself mentally leaping ahead or putting something off, pause and ask: "What's actually here right now that deserves my full presence?" Then give it your attention—even for just two minutes. Whether it's a person, a pet, a moment of rest, or your own needs, practice being fully where you are.

Brief Updates:

Our December 17th year-end women's group session—"Looking Back, Moving Forward: A Year-End Reflection"—was a beautiful way to close out 2025. The reflections on growth, themes, and intentions for the present and the new year were meaningful and inspiring.

Next Session: Wednesday, January 14th at 4 PM ET

Topic: Taking Aligned Action

We'll reflect on the past year to see how we've grown, identify themes and patterns, and set intentions as we move into 2026. This is a perfect session to join if you've been considering the group—year-end is an ideal time to begin this kind of reflective work together.We'll explore how to move from intention to action in ways that honor who you are and what you've learned, leaning on our 90-day plans to create meaningful momentum.

Closing Reflection

December brought early darkness and sunsets that arrived before I'd barely settled into the afternoon. We've passed the winter solstice now—the shortest day has come and gone—and the light is slowly returning. Yet these dark days still create a natural invitation to slow down, to be more still, to rest more deeply. During one recent waterfront walk, I witnessed something magical: seven swans gliding across the water, their white forms luminous against the darkening sky. Seven swans a-swimming, just like the old carol.

These tundra swans migrate through our area each winter, and seeing them felt like a gift. In many traditions, swans symbolize transformation and the soul—they bridge worlds of land, water, and air, serving as messengers between realms. Their presence felt especially meaningful this year, as I've navigated my own soul migrations through loss and change. They reminded me to pay attention, to be present to beauty when it appears, because it won't stay. The swans will continue their journey. The light will keep fading earlier. My dogs will keep aging. Nothing stays.

And that's precisely what makes this moment precious. The darkness isn't just absence of light—it's an invitation to notice what's here, to cherish what glows against it. My dogs' white faces. Seven white swans. The relationships we have. The body we inhabit. The life we're living right now.

What are you mentally leaping past that deserves your full presence? Who or what is here now, asking to be cherished before the moment passes? How might your life shift if you treated the present as the gift it actually is?

As I reflect on our time together this year—the vulnerability, the insights, the growth we've witnessed in ourselves and each other—I'm deeply grateful for this community. Through our group work on identity, energy management, boundaries, and so much more, as well as the powerful one-on-one coaching journeys many of you have undertaken, we've built a strong foundation. As we move into 2026, it's time to use everything we've learned to design your next chapter with intention and presence.. Happy holidays, and here's to cherishing what's here as we welcome what's next!

"Forever is composed of nows." — Emily Dickinson