The silence, the stillness, the space between . . . that precious moment (or moments) when everything is suspended - noise, conversation, thought, even time, holds both power and potential. In this issue, we’re exploring that potential as it is often here that we come face to face with ourselves, for better or worse. As you dive into these pages, we hope you’ll join us in embracing the paradox of comfort and discomfort that are born in this moment of suspension and the pers

“I feel stuck,” my friend, Jack, says softly into the phone. I’m sitting on my back deck with a cup of tea early, early Saturday morning. Jack is on the east coast and I am on the west. We’ve known each other about as many years as the miles between us – but we don’t talk regularly with our busy family lives. For him to plan this kind of conversation means his stress is real – and he needs an old friend. He needs the history of us to locate who he is now. “I don’t want to lea

All living things need restoration. Rest is a part of the natural ebb and flow of our planet. And winter is the perfect time to contemplate the importance and impact of taking a rest. In cold winter months the molecules in the air move more slowly. Much of the Earth’s flora becomes still as photosynthesis decelerates and growth ceases, allowing plants to fall into dormancy and await the first signs of spring. Some animals slow their activities to conserve energy and reduce th

As we head into a time of Wintering, a time of receding and regrouping, a time of cocooning and hygge, I am abundantly aware of the stillness and silence that surround me – especially since my daughter left for college. The silence really isn’t silent, though, and the stillness seems to be an illusion as well. Or maybe it’s just that my expectation of these isn’t what I am currently experiencing. I am not still in this space. I am finding it difficult to BE because I want to

Years seem to have passed by in minutes. The silence between us during those years, in all forms, hasn’t been intentional. There wasn’t a reason to stop communicating, nor did we not have anything to say. On the contrary, we likely had too much to say. Too much to not be able to precede each update with a long hug, accompany it with the rise and fall of a familiar laugh. Births, losses, joys, wars: it’s all too much to convey in a text or call. That physical distance, between

I found the key to enter the gateway of the two worlds where I live. It begins with a compassionate hush and a rooted breath. Awareness, forward movement, and insight igniting. Deeply known yet still undiscovered. Providing stillness and valuable wisdom. How do you navigate the two worlds where you live? This is the question I asked myself at the beginning of this year. The worlds I am talking about are our external and internal worlds and all of us move between them frequen

Some artists have a magic way of layering complexity and simplicity and Mike Giordano is one of those artists. He has followed his lens deep into the woods, to the tops of mountains, and beyond the clouds to capture the moon and the stars. While the technicalities and creativity of photography excite him, his only purpose for sharing his work is to create pleasure for others. To follow is our conversation about his journey as a creative: Jennifer Bristol for Elan Vitae: Hel