Nearing the 4th Quarter: A Change Will Come

Readers,

As I stand here with you, with 255 days behind us and a mere 110 days to go in this calendar year, I'm reminded that life's journey is a complex mix of experiences and situations. Each day, each moment, a thread weaving the narrative of our existence and who we are as people.

I must confess, like you, I've felt the weight of losses on this journey. Relationships that once filled our hearts, opportunities that slipped through our fingers, and friends who have taken different paths etc. It is in these moments that I acknowledge that life is full of temporary endings, but if embraced, see them as points along our journey rather than final destinations and there we can find peace even in the face of trials.

Let us not dwell solely on losses, for our journey is also adorned with gains. Good experiences, moments of laughter and joy, friendships that have deepened, and opportunities that have blossomed. As we approach the 4th quarter of this year, let's take a moment to appreciate the full spectrum of our journey, both past, present and for what still lies ahead.

Gratitude, my friends, is the compass that guides us through life's twists and turns. It's easy to be grateful for the sunny days, but what about the storms? In “Navigating the future” I posed questions about the examined vs. unexamined life. Can we find gratitude even in moments when we expect nothing, when we desire less? It's a challenging concept, but it reminds us that even in adversity, there is room for growth.

Empathy, both for ourselves and others, is the glue that binds us on this shared journey. Just as I have faced losses, so have you. Just as I've celebrated victories, so have you. Let's extend a hand of empathy to ourselves, recognizing that it's okay to feel the weight of our experiences. And let's offer that same empathy to those around us, for we are all travelers on this winding road called life.

As we near the 4th quarter, let's remember that change is not just coming; it's an inherent part of our journey. Embrace it with open arms, for in change, there is growth. Let's continue to progress, even when the path is challenging, for it's the journey itself that matters most.

With gratitude for your presence on this journey, and with the hope that we navigate the 4th quarter with resilience and empathy, I remain,

Yours in shared experience,

Jamari