My dear friend Linda Kolbusz sent me a message the other day – a LinkedIn post written by one of her former colleagues, Jodie Charlop. You can click here to read the whole essay if you like…Jodie’s thoughts about the new year.
I know there are plenty of pundits and writers espousing thoughtfulness when January rolls around and I pick and choose what I read…what I pay attention to. Especially after lightening my social media presence for a couple of weeks. I considered gate-keeping – withholding what stood out in Jodie’s essay – but talked myself into broadening the circle to share with you, even if you’re like me and you tire of those ‘new year, new you’ messages. Even if…especially if…you’re grateful to have 2025 in the rearview mirror. A few sentences from Jodie rattled my cage, reminding me I’m still me…desperately seeking optimism and clinging to hope for a better future for many who are struggling around the world and in the U.S. right now.
But first?
I’ve got a detour for you…
A nature pic, thanks to another dear friend named Linda – Linda Frank – who made me LOL recently with a roadside action shot.
If you enjoyed meeting my favorite neighborhood squirrel, Henry last week, you might enjoy this pic, too. I don’t think this bruiser has a name yet, so maybe you’ll help us out by offering a suggestion? What moniker might you offer a fearless beaver enjoying a meal in a median – surrounded by concrete? I’m stumped but I do have two captions in mind…either “tim-berrr!” or “ka-boom!”.
Thanks for zig-zagging and allowing me to meander.
We now return to the aforementioned content… Jodie’s essay about the year to come. She wrote:
“I’m less attached to outcomes. More discerning about what gets my energy. More willing to let things unfold without gripping so tightly.
And that’s led me to a simple truth: The world isn’t going to slow down. The noise isn’t going away. Which means peace isn’t something we earn after chaos. It’s something we practice within it.
For leaders especially, resilience isn’t about pushing harder or lasting longer. It’s about regulation, clarity and inner steadiness.
The inner game matters. And in a world that keeps accelerating, it may be the most important work we do.”
-Jodie Charlop
“Let things unfold without gripping so tightly.”
Oof…that was good. Just like this phrase:
“The inner game matters.”
Four words absorbed like a tonic.
Reminders and nudges to slow down. Maybe just enough to keep my peepers open to goodness and magic. It’s there, even when I get mired in disappointment.
Sending loads of love to you. From me…and two lovely women named Linda in my life…and a yet-to-be-named courageous beaver.
Vicki 💝
P.S. Thank you for the good vibes and wishes about my upcoming novel, friends. It’s in process and I promise to share more as soon as I can!
Hi – I’m Victoria, Vicki, Dr. Vicki. I hold a doctorate in Adult Education and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and author of Surviving Sue | Eckhartz Press
Check out this link to learn more about my book “Surviving Sue” – all about resilience and love.
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Victoria Ponders 
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