It’s hard to believe it’s been almost ten years since my mom passed. She was the matriarch who kept our family holidays running smoothly. As kids, she directed the holiday and doled out tasks to me and my siblings. Now that we’re grown, we’ve continued the tradition—but with a shared approach. Everyone contributes, from the sweet potato casserole to the pies. We rotate houses, split the prep, and keep it flexible. Some years we get together after the actual holiday, and that works fine for us.

The article The Heart Work of Kin-Keeping: Transforming Family Responsibilities Into a Shared Experience [page 24] talks about how this kind of “invisible labor” often lands on one person’s shoulders, especially during the holidays. That used to be my mom. Now, we’ve all stepped up—and it really does feel like “many hands make light work.”

The feature story, Cultivating Joy: How Movement, Gratitude and Connection Transform Our Lives [page 16], includes a section on dance that really resonated with me. “Just a few minutes of dancing releases the happy hormones, offering a DOSE [dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins] that shifts our mood better than any antidepressant,” says Jennifer Joy Jiménez. I love to dance. I took ballet and tap as a kid, danced on teams in junior high and high school, hit the teen clubs for disco nights, and did ballroom for fun later on. These days it’s more of an “if the music’s good, I’ll dance in the kitchen” kind of thing—but it still brings me joy. This article is a good reminder to make room for the things that light us up.

This month’s issue also includes Unwrapping the Past: Helping Kids Connect With Their Family Heritage [page 26], which shares ideas to help kids connect with family heritage in fun, meaningful ways. Explore The Magic of Gourmet Salts: From Fleur de Sel to Himalayan Pink [page 20]—yes, there’s a salt made with charred bourbon barrel oak—and Eco-Smart E-Waste [page 15], a practical guide to clearing out old electronics responsibly. Looking for last-minute gifts? Shop with our advertisers for local wellness gifts, gift baskets, and certificates. Plus, explore online exclusives like Cross Training for Holistic Health: Advantages of a Well-Rounded Exercise Routine and Boosting Canine Health: Holistic Immune-System Strategies at my-NA.com.

Wishing you a holiday season filled with good food, good company, and maybe even a little dancing.

Warmly,
Kris Urquhart, Publisher