There is something about being in flight, suspended between what is familiar and what awaits.

Cameron and I are flying to Italy to spend Christmas with my sister, Lina, before she returns to live stateside. A list of tasks chased me onto the plane, and as tempting as it is to take one last crack at them, I’m going to do something else.?

There is something magical about being in flight, suspended between preoccupation and possibility. It’s easier to see through everything that tethers us to time, routine and obligation to remember what matters. So here is my up-in-the-air dispatch on the people and experiences that gave me life in 2024.?

There will be time for a formal retrospective with goals and intentions and plans, plans, plans.?

For now, there is gratitude…?

For our first year of marriage.?

When Cameron and I went on our first date in 2022, I don’t think either of us expected to be meeting “our person.” Fast forward through a year of wedding planning and our first year together in marriage, and I still marvel at how blessed I am to have found partnership in this incredible human. Integrating your life with another 40++++ ?? person who is just as enthused about their independence as you are is no simple task. I can’t think of anyone who is worth giving up so much to gain so much than Cam.?

For a community rooted in community.?

Part of what pulled me into consulting was a desire to spend more of my time and energy in community I am grateful for friendships that continue to blossom in Austin, for family ties healed and healing, for partnerships born of shared values and maybe just a little bit of magic, and for the many colleagues across the country who have offered their support and inspiration in a year of significant change. In the last year, I’ve had more “just to check in” conversations than I have had in forever. May I make time for many more of these in 2025!

For recovering a sense of faith.?

I am not gonna lie: while I have taken many leaps in my career, I also recognize how much fear of scarcity and failure have still managed to shape my choices. The same worries came this year, my first consulting: Will I be able to sustain myself? Will the clients come, and will they be values aligned? Will I be able to handle it all? But for all of that worry, each question was answered in time in the clear affirmative. Here’s to acknowledging the fears and insecurities we all face, but also putting them in their place. I’m grateful for friends and partners who have continually reminded me not only of my worth, but also of what is worth my energy. My intention for 2025: to not give anxiety a single ounce more energy than I give to faith in what is possible. ?

For exercising our collective power in 2025.

I can’t help but head into the holiday thinking of those who are not able to rest in this liminal space, who are transitioning into a new era in our country which brings uncertainty at least, terror at worst. My ability to hop on a flight — even as I assess the risks and potential failure points ahead — knowing my return is guaranteed is a privilege. I guess my final gratitude for 2024 goes to everyone who feels this too, in whatever way. May we find rest and joy and connection in each other, and muster the collective power we need to face what’s next in partnership, faith and community.?

Peace out, 2024. I see you, 2025.