What are you Dreaming Up?

Winter is a wonderful time to retreat and reflect. And "taking stock" is an illuminating practice. By returning to meaningful memories, we get to enjoy them again.

Which moments stand out from your year? Time in nature? Time at home? Time adventuring? Time with loved ones? Time creating? Time volunteering?

What has time felt like to you? A gift? A thief? A blur?

As I look back on 2025, I'm feeling so much gratitude. I went on an amazing trip to Azores with my family. I celebrated my mom's 70th birthday with her. I held our second "Inspired Ideation" retreat with my beloved co-inspirator, Wilka Roig on the Gulf Coast. I launched the "Community Death Literacy Project" with Meagan Williams of Compassion and Choices, which provided grants to 10 graduates of the Death Literacy Course. I finished writing a new book (which is SO close to being "print ready") and ran a successful Kickstarter campaign (thanks to YOU!). I taught. I learned. I LOVED. I LIVED.

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January is also an opportunity to look ahead...

Whether it's a new year, season, chapter, or challenge, building out a VISION can be helpful! Instead of our usual giveaway, I wanted to share something with everyone.

Contemplative Vision Map

Directions:

1. Start with a blank piece of paper (or print the template below).
2. Turn it so it’s horizontal.
3. Near the edge on the left side about halfway up the paper, write: Where I am Now.
4. Across the paper on the right side, write: Where I Want to Be or Where I’m Going or What I’m Becoming. Or, in the spirit of some manifestation theories, use the present tense. Choose YOUR best wording.
5. In between, draw 3-4 straight lines connecting them, stacked on top of one another with room to write on each.
6. Add 2-3 arcs over the top of the stacked lines (like a rainbow), again with space to write on them.
7. Then add 2-3 inverse arcs below the stacked lines (like an upside-down rainbow).

Now it’s time to fill in your vision! You can zone in on a very specific goal or keep it broad. Your focus can be your career or vocation, relationships, creative practices, healing, or personal growth.

1. Beneath the “Where I am Now” statement, list your current mindset, skills, and strengths, as well as a description of your present situation/circumstances.
2. Beneath the statement on the right side, describe how it would be to reach your goal, using vivid terminology (balanced, fulfilled, content, proud). Describe this version of reality in detail.
3. On the straight lines across the middle, add actionable, concrete steps you can take. These might include reading, introspection, accessing support, researching, completing training programs, practicing new techniques, etc. Focus on efforts that will help move you from point A to point B.
4. Along the top arcs, add what you’ll need to overcome to reach your goals (e.g., obstacles, limiting beliefs).
5. Along the bottom arcs, add what you need to uncover or discover to make your way forward (e.g., questions, hidden doubts, “unknowns”).

Mindset Tips:

• Approach this exercise with a spirit of curiosity and enthusiasm.
• Allow room for surprises, detours, and magic. Life=learning.
• Print/draft new versions as your circumstances shift.
• Remember to pause and celebrate! Life is not about constantly STRIVING.

For the full article with a downloadable template you can print, visit the BLOG!

Watch a short video tutorial on Instagram HERE!

🤍One last highlight that made my heart smile BIG this year🤍

Aldi is a research assistant at the Vermont Conversation Lab and promising doctor-in-training. When I learned that her native language is Chinese, I asked if she'd like a translated copy of The Death Doula's Guide to Living Well and Dying Prepared. She already had it in English, but she's finding even more meaning within the pages. Aldi plans to bring it home during an upcoming visit to broach conversations about health, potential illness, and wishes with her loved ones. I'm so glad it's in her hands. And I'm so hopeful for the future of medicine with rising clinicians like this!