Reflections on Growth, Creativity, and Courage During the Holiday Season
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a very Happy New Year to all! As the year draws to a close, I can’t help but reflect on the whirlwind of the past few weeks. It’s been a mad rush to edit, re-read, and discuss the stories of my pilot participants with a few trusted colleagues. What started as a promising draft took a surprising turn when one of my readers provided insightful, albeit challenging, feedback. It sent me back to the drawing board to rewrite.
Let me tell you—rewriting is hard. But it’s not impossible. With every tweak and revision, the stories grew stronger, more authentic, and better aligned with the vision I’ve been chasing since this project began.
The stories and photographs have finally come together in a small 8x8 album. Though compact, this pilot book holds so much meaning. The process of formalizing it was unexpectedly intricate—choosing fonts, font sizes, colors, and deciding on the text's placement (left, right, justified?). I agonized over white space—how much is too much? What does "medium" even mean in the context of layout design?
Honestly, the smaller size isn’t what I envisioned for this project. But as a pilot, this album is a tool—a stepping stone to share with potential participants, inviting them into this journey.
Amid all this, I’ve also been planning a launch event to celebrate the completion of this first phase. Excitement and nerves have become my constant companions as I wonder if people will show up.
As I prepare to close this chapter and open new doors, I’m reminded of how this season is all about connection, reflection, and hope. To everyone who has supported me through this process—thank you. Your encouragement means the world.
Here’s to a holiday season filled with warmth and love, and a new year brimming with possibility. May we all find the courage to chase our dreams, even when the road is bumpy.
With gratitude and hope!