I enjoy my social media pages most when they are filled with funny animal videos, photos of friends, and in-depth discussions of my favorite books and television show – Outlander. Recently, my page was populated with polarizing discussions on political controversies. Usually when this happens, I fervently click “like” on as many Outlander posts as possible to change the tone of my feed. But this month, I found relief and inspiration from my fellow publishers.

The publisher of Natural Awakenings Long Island, Kelly Martinsen, woke up in the middle of the night to an electrical fire burning her house to the ground. She posted on Facebook, “I know that there is word out there that we ‘lost everything’. I want to assure everyone that this is not the case. While our house may be totaled, ‘everything’ I need was found the morning after the fire as I held my kids (all three!) and my husband in my driveway…for now we have no needs.”

She then went on to thank Waleska Sallaberry who was staying with her and who woke Kelly in time to get everyone out of the house. Waleska publishes Natural Awakenings Puerto Rico and relocated to New York with her children after Hurricane Maria so she could enroll them in school. Her husband is still in Puerto Rico and together they are doing everything they can to help rebuild their beautiful surfing village.

After having her life turned upside down and then witnessing fire demolish Kelly’s home, Waleska posted a picture of her new 2018 planner which reads “Best Year Ever” in beautiful script on the cover.

Both beautiful women are living testament to the power of positive perspective. Their inspiring examples of gratitude in the wake of loss provide a wonderful reminder during this month of thanksgiving – trust life, focus on our most precious blessings and the richest experiences of life will follow.

Natural Awakenings is sponsoring a fundraiser to help rebuild Puerto Rico’s Natural Health Community. If you would like to contribute please see page 17 for details. We are grateful to you, our natural health community, for any support you can offer.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Kris Urquhart, Publisher

Thank you to my colleague, Meredith Montgomery, Publisher of Natural Awakenings Magazine

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition for lending me her description of the posts by our friends.