Is anyone else wondering how August snuck up so quickly? It feels like I blinked sometime in June—and poof—the dog days of summer were suddenly in full swing. To be fair, I’ve been keeping myself busy these past few months, and when life is full, time has a way of zooming by at warp speed. But come to think of it, that’s how the entire year has felt. Just when I’ve slowed down enough to savor the fruits of one season, I can already feel the next one arriving—whether it’s the scent of woodsmoke curling from chimneys in early winter or the cheerful chirping of fledgling birds in spring.

Because time feels like it’s rushing past me, I’ve been more intentional about inviting stillness into my days. Whether through meditation, mindful meals, or extra self-care, I’ve found myself craving presence—not to escape the never-ending to-do list (and believe me, it’s still there), but to truly inhabit the moments I’m in. When I’m moving too fast, I fall into autopilot, and beauty—the kind that normally stirs my soul—can blur past me unnoticed. A brilliant desert sunset, a blooming cactus... I see them, but I don’t always feel them when I’m in go-go-go mode.

This month’s theme, Harmonious Living, speaks directly to this longing. Living authentically, moving mindfully, and savoring life’s beauty aren’t just poetic ideals—they’re powerful practices. When we pause and realign with what matters most, we find ourselves again.

I especially loved this month’s feature, The Authentic Lifestyle: Learning to Realign with Our True Selves by Carrie Jackson (p.14). It’s filled with thought-provoking insights about what it really means to live in integrity with our soul’s calling—and how doing so can ripple out in ways we can’t even imagine. As the article beautifully states, “Living your dharma is the highest form of spiritual activism.”

Holly