Eye to Wonder

      I've always loved the start of a new year, event though I know it's arbitrary. I enjoy any time set aside for reflection, connection, and the feeling of a fresh start. A few years ago I started making my yearly lists inspired by the podcast  Happier . I started with 18 for 2018. I don't think I've ever finished a list, but I've gotten close a few times, and I also love the process of envisioning what kind of things I'd like to do in the upcoming year.  For some reason, New Years resolutions don't work for me, but I like the scavenger-hunt like feel of the 21 for 21.      Over the past week I set aside time to work on my 21 for 21 and have a list I feel happy with. I focused on things that would feel doable regardless of what happens with the vaccine, travel, etc. I found it most helpful to think of the different aspects of life like family, relationships, career, spirituality, etc. From there it was easier to brainstorm ideas within each category.    

            Reading is a core part of my identity, and I'm glad that I was able to read a lot of great books this year. I also loved seeing reading through Avi's eyes as a way to make sense of the world and learn new words. All that being said, I thought I'd share a few favorites from this year:      My favorites:     * The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet. This book hooked me from the beginning. I'm a sucker for well-written books with multiples perspectives and timelines, and this was deserving of all the hype it got this year. I also gifted it to my mom for her birthday, and she devoured it too! It's the story of two identical twin sisters who go down two different paths in life and split directions when one of the sisters decides to pass for white and leaves her past behind. Bennet's other book The Mothers  is definitely on my to read list.      * The Ten Thousand Doors of January  by Alix E. Harrow. This was a beautifully written fantasy book that contained an

              Tomorrow is the winter solstice. When we lived in Boston, I struggled a lot with this time of year since it got dark so early. This year, I also am noticing my mood dipping a bit although whether that's in response to the shorter days or feeling a bit of holiday blues being away from extended family is hard to say. I feel so lucky our family has so far been healthy, and I know so many other families haven't been so fortunate. Still, it feels isolating to be far from extended family right now, and I know a lot of people are feeling similarly and trying to craft new meaning and structure to this holiday season.      I find it so hopeful that starting on Tuesday, each day will get slightly longer. This year I've been so drawn to holidays and traditions that center around candles and light. We always celebrate Hanukkah, and I love the flickering lights on the menorah and prayers that have a special tune, even if I don't understand Hebrew. I love that this year

      Last month, I experimented with doing the  Seven-ish Minute Workout  every day for a month. I completed this exercise every day; even on the days that were most full or I didn't feel like exercising, seven minutes always felt doable enough that I didn't want to break the streak.       After a while, a funny thing happened. I began to feel more active in other parts of the day. We spontaneously decided to take a hike one afternoon, and it was easy to climb the steeper portions. I found myself more motivated to take more walks, even after Avi went to sleep. And when my friend, Paulina, encouraged me and Joel to sign up for the  Holiday Hustle  challenge to benefit Feeding America, I entertained the idea, even though the month before I wouldn't have given it a second thought.       The premise of the Holiday Hustle is to run or walk 50 kilometers by New Years Day. On the one hand, it felt silly to pay money to walk 50 kilometers when we could easily do the same thing at

      December 2020 is a funny place to be. Christmas, Hanukkah, and my birthday are this month, and our family is definitely more into the holidays than we typically are. This year, I think everyone's looking to embrace a reason for festivity. The lights, music, and seasonal events like getting a Christmas tree have brought a sense of joy and coziness to a season of being home a lot.       At the same time, the days are getting shorter and winter is sneaking in. Case counts everywhere are really high, and, given that, my parents and brother won't be able to come to Colorado after all. Between having a child now and being more separated from family with Covid restrictions, I'm definitely feeling the challenges of living far away from both sides of our family more this year. I'm trying to let there be space for this tension. There's a lot of joy to be found in our home and this season, but there's sadness too that this Christmas will be apart from family. And tha