Turning 50 has a way of making you stop and think.
To celebrate the milestone, I took a solo trip to Oregon. I expected beautiful scenery, some much-needed relaxation, and a chance to unplug for a while. What I didn’t expect was how much clarity I would come home with.
Somewhere between the hot springs, quiet forests, great music, old friends and family, and long hours on the road, I started thinking less about the last 50 years and more about the next 50. I kept coming back to one simple thought: I want to spend the rest of my life trying to leave the world just a little better than I found it.
That’s a lofty goal I know, and it’s much easier to write than to live. But I believe that’s the direction I want to head.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate. My family, friends, readers, advertisers, and this amazing community have given me far more than I could ever repay. Maybe the best way to honor that is to simply try to be a more positive person in someone else’s day. Sometimes that’s helping when I can. Sometimes it’s really listening. Sometimes it’s just offering a smile.
Another lesson followed close behind: if you want community, you have to build community.
The friendships and connections we all hope for don’t usually appear out of nowhere. They happen because someone extends an invitation, hosts a gathering, shows up at an event, or simply takes the time to connect.
Since returning home, I’ve been trying to do more of that myself. I’ve been hosting more get-togethers, making a point to attend more community events, and saying “yes” a little more often. Some days that’s not easy. Between work, summer heat, and plain old exhaustion, staying home can sound pretty appealing. But I’ve found that I almost never regret getting out and spending time with people.
The last lesson may be the most important.
Take care of yourself.
Being human feels more challenging than ever. Life is busy, the news can be overwhelming, and it often feels like we’re expected to keep going no matter how drained we are. But we can’t give our best to the people around us if we’re running on empty.
That doesn’t have to mean a weeklong vacation. It might be a hot bath, a few minutes with a foot massager, turning on some sound bowl music and simply sitting still, taking a walk, or spending an evening under the stars. Whatever helps you recharge isn’t wasted time—it’s an investment in yourself.
As you flip through this month’s issue, I hope you’ll find some events that inspire you to get out, meet people, support local artists and organizations, and become part of this incredible community we all share.
The world doesn’t become the place we wish it could be by accident. It happens because each of us chooses, every day, to create it together. Happy reading!
