(Originally posted to Facebook on January 1st, 2025)

As we roll into the new year, we can't help but look back at the past 365 days.

2024 was a difficult year marked by escalating conflicts like the war in Ukraine and the devastating conflict in Gaza, extreme weather events worsened by climate change, a shaky global economy, and deep political divisions. It was a year that underscored the urgent need for global cooperation and solutions to pressing world issues.

Even in our own backyard we saw the average Canadian feel the squeeze once again. More crime and cost of living. In the last 2 weeks even, Canada was uprooted as parliament fell off its feet.

It's easy to dwell on the negatives, a tendency for the brain to do. And it's also easy to get caught up in the wrongdoings of the world since that's what the news focuses on most often. So the question becomes, what, if anything, can we do about all of this?

When looking at a 10,000 foot perspective, the burdens of the world are much too heavy for one person to carry. You need a movement; a wave of change in order to shift the tides.

This is where I think starting with each individual person becomes imperative. A healthy person is one who can experience the world fully, and start to cultivate positive change.

I speak from the pillar of nutrition, having witnessed firsthand how these changes can empower individuals to live their best lives. But this is one of many essential pillars including psychological health, spiritual growth, physical robustness, and more. They say it takes a village, and it's true. And everybody is worthy of that focus.

What I'm trying to get at is this: In order for us to have a healthy society, we need healthy people. We need everyone to realize that they are worthy of that effort, so they can be their best selves, benefitting both them and the people around them. When people are taking care of themselves, it's amazing how contagious it is.

The pillar of nutrition is important, but it's one of many. I implore you to consider how worthy you are of change in any capacity- healthy people, healthy community. And that's truly powerful.

"When we heal ourselves, we heal the world." - Marianne Williamson.