Winter News: Comfort & Company

How Will You Wind Down the Year?

Much attention is paid to how one begins a new year, but it is almost more important to pay attention to how the year winds down. Being intentional and honoring all that has come before– a form of reflection and gratitude– sets up the new year to bring you all you need.

I'm reflecting on all the changes our family has gone through this year, including one unexpected move, one rushed move, and the discovery of resilience born of wind-shaping stone. Also, my dream of finishing, editing, and indie-publishing an e-book came to fruition in 2023, even amidst work and life challenges.

I'm writing an editorial plan for 2024, but I'm also counting my blessings and baking as an act of love. I am making pies 🥧. What are you doing to wind down this year?

Enjoy Deliciousness

Wherever you are in the world, in December, it is a time to enjoy the deliciousness and sweetness of the present moment in food, drink, and company. If you live in the northern hemisphere, mid-December welcomes the winter season with the solstice, and while light wanes and our spirits worry about colder climes, we hope in the darkness only to be rewarded by the lengthening light.

I have always loved the sparkling lights of the season.

Comfort & Joy!

Holidays can be pretty difficult for many reasons, some logistical and based on society's push that we have to do, be, or have it all while telling you that you don't have it all. Rough. In other cases, the difficulty is emotional and expectation-based. We expect an event to be horrible, or we expect an event to be amazing. Both can be true or false at the same moment. The expectations are the rub. And they can limit your joy. While I am not promoting stoicism because that is not a realistic or joyful philosophy, I agree with Seneca's famous quote: We suffer more often in imagination than in reality. Facts.

It's hard, but I remind myself to remain grounded in what's present right now. I relish a single second of joy when it floats by my horizon of vision. You have to be present to notice them. Whenever I am lost in the chatter of imagining awful moments, I miss the present moment of joy.

Consider this a reminder to grab your joy and cultivate the small comforts of the season wherever and whenever you can.

New Year Forecast: Books to Read & Projects to Complete

Though I am winding down the year and reflecting on all that has come before, I am also building my (editorial) plan for the new year. No, I am not a resolutions person. They are fleeting. Instead, I like to project my year and visualize the possibilities. After creating a substantial list, I use a prioritizing tool (see Jeffery Davis's 7-minute Prioritizer) to help me decide the priorities that rise to the surface. I have used it several times, and it has never steered me wrong. While not free, it's affordable, and no, I am not an affiliate. The other truth about this type of projection is that it helps shape plans. All my friends and family know I quote my coach who is famous for reminding us--

Plans don't always work out, but planning always does. ~Coach Joseph

A Peek into My Future Reading List

This is just the beginning of what I want to read in 2024 and is not in any order. Some are suggested reads by friends and family, and others have selected me when I browse the bookstores and libraries.

• The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish
• My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
• Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
• When the Light of the World was Subdued our Songs Came Through edited by Joy Harjo
• Before your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Creative Projects on Deck for 2024 (so far)

• Companion Card Deck for 10 Seconds to Zen e-book: I have been in production with a companion deck of cards for my recent e-book release. I love card decks of any kind (I grew up with card playing relatives) and I also love using a randomness when I get stuck. The idea is that you can select a card in the deck to help you in the moment.

• Zine Cultivating Joyful Moments of Teaching (see Call for Submissions below)-- I have been working with zines in the capacity of creating and/or editing/reading for zines since I was a teen. Last year I began longing for making a zine again. This one aims to celebrate joy in/with teaching. No sardonic tales here.

• Poems in which I throw my voice into ancient monuments to see what they have to say-- I was in a recent writing workshop that asked us to throw our voices beyond persona, and for some reason, An ancient monument found me to speak for them. I am curious to see where that takes me/my writing.😉

Call for Submissions: Teacher AlTruisms

Calling All Educators: K-University

I am putting together a Zine (digital and print) that uplifts the work we do and highlights the joy found in the profession.Soothing burnout begins with remembering why we choose to teach, or why it chose us (as it was in my case).

Seeking original poetry, prose (under 300 words), and artwork showing the juicy joyful moments of teaching or working with students. Think of it as the delight of reaching the center of a hard candy that has a juicy filling. We know teaching is difficult labor - but in the best moments we find it can be a labor of love.

The zine is meant to uplift. The tone can be serious, but should not be sardonic.

Please send poetry and prose in .pdf format. Artwork should be .png or .jpg format.Submissions should be free of assistance from AI tools.

All submissions should be sent to iolitelotus@bridgetkelley-lossada.com The subject line of the email should read [first and last name] submission for Teacher AlTruisms

There is no fee to submit your work. Contributors will receive a copy of the print zine.

Thank You!

Lastly, I want to thank each of you for being here to support my work this year! It has been a beautiful journey, and I can't wait to see what unfolds as we move forward into 2024.

May peace be with each of you this holiday season!

Wishing you cozy greetings!☃️

💜~Bridget

P.S. If you are feeling harried or extra-stressed this season, maybe consider watching a little ambience video and take a few deep breaths. It can be a lovely thing to take a little break!