Grace, Gratitude, and Grounding...

Welcoming 2025 with Open Arms:

Happy New Year.

This morning, as the first light of 2025 kissed my face, I whispered a quiet prayer of thanks. To be awake. To see another year. To simply be. Most of us understand the weight of those blessings because many didn’t make it here. This morning, I didn’t just count my blessings—I wrapped myself in them like a warm, familiar blanket. I thanked God for the lessons etched into my journey, for my family, and for the quiet resilience that carried me through.

This year, I’m embracing the Three Gs: Grace, Gratitude, and Grounding. These words aren’t just a mantra—they are a roadmap for moving forward, for living fully in this moment, and for honoring the people and experiences that shape us.

Grace is the soft strength that lets us forgive, both others and ourselves. It’s the understanding that we’re all works in progress, that mistakes are not final but rather invitations to grow. Grace is what allows us to let go of what we can’t control and to make room for the unexpected beauty in our lives. As I look back on 2024, I see moments where I stumbled and moments where I soared—but in both, grace was my cushion, my safety net. This year, I vow to extend that grace not only to myself but to everyone around me.

Gratitude is the heartbeat of my reflection. It’s easy to get lost in the noise of what we don’t have or what we’re striving to achieve, but gratitude silences that noise. It focuses the lens on what truly matters: the people who love us, the moments that ground us, the small joys we often overlook. My client once asked me what New Year’s resolutions mean to me, and my answer has shifted over time. Today, they mean finding ways to live more gratefully, with purpose and appreciation. They mean saying “thank you” more often—to God, to the universe, to those who make my life richer just by being in it.

Grounding is the anchor that keeps me present. It’s a reminder that life isn’t lived in the rearview mirror or the distant horizon; it’s lived in the now. Too often, we rush past moments, treating them like stepping stones to somewhere else. But what if this moment is all we have? Grounding means pausing to notice the laughter of a friend, the way sunlight dances through your window, or the comfort of a warm cup of coffee (even if it wasn’t ready when you expected). Life is happening now, and grounding keeps us tethered to its beauty.

As I write this, I’m struck by how much my perspective has changed over the years. In my younger days, New Year’s Eve meant parties, champagne, and fireworks that lit up the night sky. But as I grow older, I find myself cherishing quieter celebrations—ones that call for reflection, connection, and an earnest commitment to live intentionally. There’s joy in the parties, of course, but there’s a deeper joy in waking up the next morning with clarity about what matters most.

So, to you, dear reader, I ask: What are your Three Gs—or perhaps your Three Ps, or Three Rs—for this year? What words will guide you as you step into 2025? My hope is that you’ll embrace whatever mantra feels true to you, and that you’ll carry it with you like a compass, pointing you toward growth, kindness, and joy.

May this year be your brightest yet. May you find grace in your missteps, gratitude in your triumphs, and grounding in every precious moment. And most importantly, may you hold your loved ones close, for we never know which days will be their last—or ours.

Here’s to 2025, and to living it with an open heart.