In the spirit of the season, we rightly turn our attention to metaphysical matters, most notably Linda Sechrist’s uplifting feature, “The Emerging Power of ‘We’: Awakening to the Evolution of Community.” Here you’ll find a compelling argument that collective wisdom, collaborative change
and the need to evolve from a culture of “me” to a culture of “we” may be the key to addressing the major challenges that confront humankind.

Creating community is important and that’s one of the things that I hope this magazine does for you, dear readers. The activities, groups, classes
and businesses we highlight are a community and I sincerely hope it helps all of you find places to come together with other individuals and families who care about the same things. People coming together for a higher purpose is one of the best things about this season.

This month’s Wise Words also takes us on a spiritual journey with the story of Mary Neal, an orthopedic surgeon and author of 7 Lessons from Heaven: How Dying Taught Me to Live a Joy-Filled Life, who shares her account of a near-death experience in which she believes she penetrated the veil dividing the physical and spiritual worlds. Her lifealtering experience prompted her to pay more attention to those things that are truly
important: faith, family and relationships with others. I hope you will find Dr. Mary Neal’s absolute trust and faith in the Divine an inspiring message and that her words will resonate with you this holiday season.

In addition to feeding the soul, we focus on nourishing ourselves with Earth-friendly holiday practices, from updating family traditions and serving vegan treats, to reducing food waste and choosing safe and eco-smart pet toys. I love the increasing variety of traditions and eco-practices surrounding the holiday season. My editorial editor started a new gift giving tradition with her family a few years ago after deciding that everyone had enough “stuff.” All gifts given within the family are now handmade, homemade edible, or needed items purchased from a thrift store. Gifts are wrapped in recycled materials. The focus is on family, not gifts. This is a great time of year to incorporate some new ecopractices,
perhaps by shopping less or looking for eco-products when you do.

As always, we explore the pursuit of healthy living with articles detailing the many benefits of breathwork in “Inhaling the Joy of Life: Conscious Breathwork,” and the importance of maintaining strong skeletal integrity in “Beyond Calcium: Full-Spectrum Bone Health.” May you find much joy to inhale and much health to celebrate.

To conscious living,
Pamela Gallina, Publisher