We’ve probably all heard, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” I love it when a common saying we may consider a cliché resonates for us with tangible understanding. I know it makes me think, “Darn, I wish I’d have gotten that one sooner!” This inevitably leads me to the recurring gem: “Everything happens just when and how it’s supposed to.”

A recent encounter with a local business owner and colleague, who faithfully and authentically lives as the epitome of most Natural Awakenings-friendly values I aspire to, caused me to reflect on her comments about how important it is to meet people where they are on life’s journey. We try to bring an understanding of this to the magazine content each month. While the publishing team holds up some purist ideals, we also try to meet others wherever they might be on their journey in living ever-more healthy, happy and sustainable lifestyles. Each step we take, no matter how small, brings us closer to the next step, and the next, in our eternal quest to live fully sound and vibrant lives.

Learning to give ourselves the same breaks we grant to others isn’t always easy. When a friend I hadn’t seen in years asked me if as a Natural Awakenings publisher I live “the” healthy lifestyle, I paused before answering because of incongruent feelings I have about my body not yet reflecting this publicly stated ideal. Had I stayed in that place of self-judgment, it may have led down a rabbit hole of negative thoughts and emotions. Thankfully, I chose the benevolent path of recognizing how far I’ve come and how good it feels to be where I am now. Added to that, I’m excitedly anticipating what lies ahead. Whatever it is… it’s all good in the long run!

We hope you’ll do yourself the simple kindness of joining us on Sunday, May 31 at the Natural Awakenings Mind-Body Experiential Event and Expo at Arlington High School from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Together we’ll explore some of the many options available for taking new steps forward in immediately realizing a more peaceful life experience available to harmonize mind, body and spirit. For more information, see the ad on page 3 and take a sneak peek at our program on pages, 16 to 21. It all honors our uniquely individual and collective community experience.

Peace,

Maisie Raftery, Publisher