I love March with all its messiness. Trekking muddy pathways amidst windy New England weather, we never know whether the birds will be out singing up a storm or a late winter blizzard will blow in and change our plans. Still, we begin to mentally defrost and wake up with expectancy each day as spring approaches.

The blessings of the Northeast’s change of seasons serve as a metaphor for the unexpected blessings we receive from changes in our lives, especially those arriving after some emotional storm. Through my work as publisher of Natural Awakenings of Boston, I am beyond blessed in having repeated opportunities to meet incredible people with telling stories to share about events that have forever altered the course of their lives. A common thread I hear is how dramatic shifts brought on by a single crisis or series of seemingly awful situations turn out to be blessings in disguise.

People often ask what led me to publishing and each time I share the story, it becomes clearer to me: It’s embracing life’s deepest challenges that leads us to greater possibilities.

In just 17 months, from May, 2009 through September, 2010, I experienced a floodtide of significant changes. Some appeared to be positive while others left me feeling my world was crashing down inside and all around me.

Amid the whirlwind I got hooked on reading the Natural Awakenings of Rhode Island edition. I went out of my way to pick up a copy if my favorite rack was already emptied. Little did I know this evolving passion was seeding my future prospects. Every day, they continue to germinate and multiply possibilities through listening to readers’ and advertisers’ stories of trials and transformation, and how they found themselves doing what they’re doing and being today.

The overarching moral of all these stories is to never give up looking for a silver lining. Every hardship we face affords, somewhere beneath its surface, countless opportunities for realizing growth and greater inner peace when we look for and open up to receive them.

Thank you for the opportunity to share the passions of the amazing human beings you meet through these pages each month. I love the hope they present.

To embracing change and finding your “next”…

Maisie Raftery, Publisher