Joy is not something I chase anymore. It is something I practice. It is nourishment. It is a way of paying attention. This year, it carried me through moments of uncertainty and moments of celebration, and through all the ordinary days in between. The landscape of Southern Arizona helps with that. Here, joy feels almost tangible—in the texture of sunlight, in the wide-open sky, in the desert blooms that remind us that beauty thrives even in the harshest conditions.

This month’s issue is a celebration of that spirit. Our feature article on page 18, Cultivating Joy, explores how movement, gratitude, and connection can transform our lives in simple yet powerful ways. On page 17, The Joy of Local Holiday Shopping reminds us that face-to-face moments matter and that human touch is the greatest gift of all during the season of giving. On page 14, When Joy Becomes the Point invites us to reconsider how we measure a life well lived. And on page 20, Cross Training for Holistic Health highlights how a well-rounded movement practice builds energy, resilience, and a joyful relationship with our bodies.

Together, these articles shine a light on something timeless: joy is not frivolous. It is essential. It strengthens us. It brings us back to ourselves. It opens the door to healing and connection.

As we prepare to step into the next quarter-century, I invite you to carry joy with you as both compass and guide. Let it shape your choices. Let it nudge you toward community. Let it remind you to care for your physical body, your emotional landscape, and your spiritual well-being. Let it show you where life is asking you to soften, to expand, or to begin again.

Most of all, let joy root you in gratitude—for the people who lift you up, for the opportunities that stretch you, for the brilliant desert light that reminds us every morning that renewal is always possible.

The future is bright—brighter than we may even realize. And here in Southern Arizona, with our sweeping skies and radiant colors, we are already living in one of the most inspiring places to grow that future.

May this season bring you peace, presence, and the kind of joy that endures.

Thank you for being part of our Natural Awakenings community and for stepping into a new era with open hearts and hopeful spirits.

Holly