Having just returned from the Natural Awakenings Publishers Conference at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York, I’m filled with fresh excitement for the possibilities this incredible family of well-intentioned entrepreneurs are bringing to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico. Working tirelessly with one another, contributors, distributors and advertisers, we offer positive messages that help more than 3.5 million readers enhance their quality of life. Collaborating with all these people committed to having a positive impact on our global community puts the world into better perspective.

Early in the conference, the word “overwhelmed” popped up for several of us, especially solo publishers without business partners or full-time staff. But by the end of the meeting, I realized that I sometimes create my own feeling of being  overwhelmed by anticipating what still needs to be done rather than staying consciously focused on the present task.

This change in outlook has opened up encouraging possibilities and brought lightness to the myriad of to-dos I tackle each day; I feel more clear and efficient when I relax and let the work flow. If anxieties creep in, I now stop to take a few deep belly breaths and bring myself back to the present moment and what needs to be done right now.

With the holidays approaching, I’m happy to bring this awareness to maintaining a more resolute calm to whatever the day brings; it’s so attuned to what we explore in these pages each month. We kick off the season with helpful tips from some local healthy living practitioners, in “Happy Holidays to You, Mood-Boosting Tips,” on page 19, by Kim Childs.

Our feature article this month explores the “Economics of Happiness,” in which co-authors John de Graaf and Linda Sechrist pose the question: Why not learn ways to work less and enjoy it more; spend more time with our friends and families; consume, pollute, destroy and owe less; and live better, longer and more meaningfully? Internalizing such insights can grant us a whole new lease on life (page 20).

In “Proper Eating Fuels and Enhances Workouts,” on page 27, Jay Krawczyk, of Vitality Personal Fitness, in Newton, explains which eating habits work to support healthy nutrition and weight control and boost energy. Another helpful article, on page 31, focuses on the benefits of positive dog training, which anyone can apply, courtesy of local experts, Bette Yip, Joanne Lekas and Liz Shaw.

Wishing you the desire and ability to seize every opportunity to make the most of every moment.

Happy Thanksgiving and peace,

Maisie Raftery, Publisher