@Benjamin Ross wrote this thoughtful post here : what-drives-us-not-another-new-years-post Take some time to think about the factors that motivate you towards action in your daily life. What are they? How is your approach effective long/short term.

(realized that I posted this in another community in October but never in mine, so here we go :) ). Confession: I have a hard time seeing myself in the future (getting older) while at the same time, even though I think about mortality on the daily, I have a hard time actually picturing myself dying. I look at people that are older and wonder "I wonder if I'll make it to that age"--the sense of time is just something that seems elusive...real, but not. BUT, here I am, living and getting older (I'm grateful!)...and this got me thinking about living in a way that truly embodies wellbeing... which got me thinking further about Blue Zones and how the individuals in these areas seem to REALLY be living--they're not just physically healthy, but they seem to really be living in a wholesome way. So..I wanted to know more and learn how I can embrace the aging process in a more wholesome way. And I want to hear from you...how are you approaching this whole living thing? Here are some things that I learned about these Blue Zones: 💫Blue Zones are regions where people consistently live to be 100+ while maintaining good health, strong minds, and deep connections. What Blue Zones have in common: 🥗 Eat mostly plants (like 90%): Meals are rich in beans, veggies, nuts, and whole grains. Meat is more of a side dish than the star of the show. They get their protein, but they get it through mostly plants! 🚶 Move naturally : Daily life includes walking, gardening, and doing things by hand. Functional movements. 💞 Stay connected: Strong social bonds, family ties, and a sense of belonging are central to their health--this has become increasingly important to me as I've aged.. 🧘 Find purpose and peace: Each person has a reason to get up in the morning. They practice slowing down, whether through prayer, community, or mindfulness. 🍷 Enjoy life in moderation: Many share meals, laughter, and even a small glass of wine with friends. Balance is key! (side note: although people have said that a glass of wine improves heart health--it's a depressant so it 'relaxes' the body in some ways--it is still a toxin for the brain, even in small doses--so I wonder if there are other factors at play here)

"People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered. LOVE THEM ANYWAY. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. DO GOOD ANYWAY. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies. SUCCEED ANYWAY. The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow. DO GOOD ANYWAY. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. BE HONEST AND FRANK ANYWAY. Big people with even bigger ideas will be shot down by small people with even smaller minds. THINK BIG ANYWAY. People favor underdogs, but follow only top dogs. BE THE UNDERDOG ANYWAY. What you spent years building may be destroyed overnight. BUILD ANYWAY. People really need help but may attack you if you help them. HELP THEM ANYWAY. Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth. GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU’VE GOT ANYWAY." -Mother Teresa There is no better way to honor life than to strive to become the best verrsionof yourrself. ACTION: What's one action step that you can take "anyway". Here are some ideas: - Offer compassion without correcting, fixing, or proving a point. - Help anonymously so your ego gets nothing out of it. - Do the right thing even when it costs you convenience or status. - Take a visible step toward something you’re afraid to be judged for. - Say the truth without cushioning it to be liked. - Admit what you want instead of pretending you don’t care. - Acknowledge your fear instead of disguising it as logic. - Share an idea before it’s “ready.” - Invest time in a vision that scares you a little. - Speak up in a room where you feel smaller than everyone else. - Bet on yourself when no one else is. - Restart something you quit because it got hard or messy. - Offer support without demanding gratitude. - Stay kind to someone who pushes back or resists help. - Serve without trying to control the outcome. - Do excellent work even if it might go unnoticed. - Lead with integrity when cynicism would be easier. POLL:Which mindset do you most often default to?

This past week we stealthily crossed the 100 member milestone and I'm so so excited for it! A couple of you reached out about it (thank you!!) and @Chris Wendt 's post here100-members means so so much to me... This milestone belongs to all of you! It truly does! Thank you for showing up, contributing your voices, sharing your experiences, and helping create this space into what it is today. I never anticipated how this little corner of skool was going to take shape and I am so so truly thankful for it and for you all. A gift that I never knew was needed and didn't see coming. My heart is overflowing with joy. The connections formed and nurtured, the conversations sparked, and the growth truly wouldn’t exist without your willingness to engage and support one another and me. This community is possible because of you-your presence, insight, and energy matter more than you know. Thank you for making it the special space that it is. Here’s to what we’ve built together so far, and to everything still ahead!!!!💛 Excited!!!!!

Growth doesn’t happen because the year changes — it happens because you change. Sometimes the most powerful shift is simply choosing to stop carrying what’s been weighing you down. What’s one thing you’re releasing before 2026?