Our November issue is dedicated to personal growth and mindfulness. Although most people will reflect upon achievements of memorable experiences as “growth”, I think it is worth considering where we are ultimately growing toward. We know our final destination, but that should not be cause for despair; instead rejoice for every day that we have on Earth.

I recently finished breakfast with my family on Sunday and started to feel oddly confused and had a little trouble speaking and deciphering text on paper or reading my email. I went to the emergency room, where they gave me a thorough examination—CAT scan, blood work, etc. The diagnosis was a transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke), but the incident passed after about 60 minutes and I was released for outpatient follow-up.

I still felt woozy and kind of confused for another day, but then the most amazing thing happened. I felt happier, clearer and freer than I’ve felt since my mom passed away three year’s ago. I’m still feeling it and others are noticing I am different, too. I feel more creative, like something inexplicably just opened up! I feel like I’ve had a “spiritual adjustment” of some kind :) ... I am grateful and amazed.

On a related note, John Voell, co-founder of the Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation, of which our magazine is a part, passed away in October. John and CEO Sharon Bruckman shared a vision to expand the positive impact of the fledgling company almost 20 years ago.

Sharon and John invited anyone in the country interested in healthy living to join them in publishing the magazine. Now Natural Awakenings reaches nearly 4 million people each month, building a healthier world together, community by community, sharing local, national and global avenues to well-being and life balance.

John Voell understood that many publishers enter into this journey with the desire and need to be of service to our communities. He believed in a “life review” at the end of the day, when we must ask ourselves, “How many people did I help in this lifetime?” He was a beacon when fear stopped us in our tracks from going forward, honoring our passion to “feel good, live simply, laugh more.”

Popular spiritual author Eckhart Tolle has written, “What will be left of all the fearing and wanting associated with your problematic life situation that every day takes up most of your attention? A dash, one or two inches long, between the date of birth and date of death on your gravestone.” Not John. He will be missed.

With a thankful heart,

Holly Baker, Publisher