A reflection on openness, grace, and presence

A few weeks ago, I realized I had already written my year-end blog in my body, before the words arrived.

I was lying in bed thinking about what this reflection would be about. My words for 2025 were open and grace. I remained open to all possibilities and opportunities and I extended grace to myself and others more times than I can count.

I broke free from “traditional” ways of thinking and being, while staying true to who I am at my core. And that was really all I had. As I lay there, a simple truth landed: I am at peace in my heart, my mind, and my spirit. I am not tethered to things outside of myself or beyond my control. I am not searching for anything outside of myself. I have settled into my life in a way I have long yearned for.

And then, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

I used to yearn to encompass the words of India Arie’s song, Beautiful. These lines, specifically:

“I wanna go to the place where I am nothing
and everything that exists between here and nowhere.
I wanna go to a place where time has no consequences,
and the sky opens up to my prayers.
I want to go to beautiful…”

I used to listen to this song with such longing, because I felt so far from beautiful, the place. But my journey over the last five to ten years, though fraught with ups and downs, prepared me for that place of beautiful I found myself in a few weeks ago, lying in bed and reflecting on this very entry.

Now that I’ve arrived at this sacred space within myself, and after processing it with a dear friend, I realized my word for 2026 will be presence.

I want to show up in my life in all ways.

What does that mean?

• Choosing here instead of rushing ahead or replaying the past
• Letting life unfold without gripping the outcome
• Staying with discomfort without numbing or dramatizing
• Listening to my body as much as my mind
• Allowing clarity to arrive slowly and honestly
• Releasing what requires me to shrink
• Trusting quiet over chaos
• Making room for what feels steady, mutual, and real
• Being with myself without distraction or fear

Presence reminds me that peace doesn’t need to be loud to be powerful.

As we step toward a new year, I invite you to reflect on where this one has brought you, and to ask yourself what word might help you show up more fully in 2026.