I wish to end this year in the way I will continue ahead… with courage, vulnerability and a wee bit of sass. ;-)

2023 has been hard… for many…me included.

The holiday season is nearing and this also means that schools take a well-deserved break.
As parents and caregivers consider the time ahead, some are already quivering at the thought of filling the endless hours to keep their children happy, occupied, and preferably not maiming each other. 

Have you ever taken a moment to reflect on the concealed burden that accompanies each individual throughout their life journey? In a recent conversation with a leader, the term "Invisible Backpack" was used to articulate their approach in working with others.

In the realm of Japanese art and philosophy, there exists a beautiful concept known as Kintsugi, which translates to "golden joinery" or "golden repair." Kintsugi is the art of repairing broken pottery using lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. But it's much more than just a technique for fixing broken objects; it's a profound metaphor for life itself. Just like the pottery, our lives can shatter, and our experiences can leave us with emotional and psychological cracks. However, Kintsugi teaches us a powerful lesson – that these cracks can be sources of growth, strength, and newfound brilliance. This is what we call "post-traumatic growth."