Last week on our Heart of Being Human call, we acknowledged the heaviness so many are carrying — and then something unexpected opened. Stories of returning birds, a snowy owl on a foggy highway, and a poem by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer reminded us that alongside grief and pain, there is also awe and astonishment. Here is also the news.

Change sits at the heart of being human. We cross thresholds constantly, often without clear instructions for how to do it well. This reflection explores love, loss, presence, and what becomes possible when we choose to stay open in times of profound change.

The holidays can be a tender time for anyone carrying grief, whether through the loss of a loved one or the quieter aches of life’s changes. In this reflection, I explore why the season can feel especially heavy and how to find a middle way that gently holds both sorrow and light. You’ll find simple, compassionate guidance for supporting others, caring for your own heart, and creating meaningful rituals that honour whatever you’re carrying this year.