What I'm Hoping to Do More of This Holiday Season

This week, I've been thinking, feeling, watching, listening, and taking stock of my life. It's been hard not to do this, as I've spent time unpacking all of the items that I packed up while preparing to evacuate from the wildfires.

I've been taking stock not just of the 'stuff” in my life, but of what's really important to me these days. On Monday, I sat down with my friend Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Fellow, who has devoted his life to studying the places on earth where people are healthiest and happiest. Our conversation really got me thinking deeper about what I value and whether I'm really leading a life where my values line up with my actions. (You can watch our conversation below.)

The news of this week also got me feeling and thinking about my values, and about what we value as a country. On Wednesday, I felt joyful when I heard about the large turnout of voters in Alabama, and about the powerful impact that black voters had, in particular. The people are awake! What a powerful reminder that a vote can disrupt the status quo. It's also a reminder that the people have a voice, and that they want to be heard. As Kaushana Cauley wrote in the NY Times this week, if the Democrats want to win more elections like this one, then 'they have to integrate black voters into the heart and soul of the party.”