January Moga Newsletter
Monthly Musings, Resolutions, and Simple, New Beginnings
Happy 2025, Moga friends! It feels like I blinked, and the year was gone—a bit of a blur, honestly. 2024 was a big year for our family. As you know, we saw our eldest graduate from high school and just a short few months later completing boot camp with the Marines. These big life changes have brought a lot of transition for me and for our family. Having a child leave the nest is no small thing, especially knowing that he might never live with us again.
But even with all the transitions, December turned out to be extra special. Cameron’s been on a leave extension working as a recruiter’s assistant, which had him home for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s been such a gift having him here, even if it hasn’t quite matched the fantasy I had while he was away—that he’d want to spend all his waking hours with us. Of course, reality looks a little different, and he’s been out most of the time catching up with friends. But honestly, I’m so happy for him (even if I secretly hoped for a little more time together).
One of my favorite things this month has been seeing Cameron become a CC Puck super fan. He’s made it to all the games—even heading straight from work in his Marine uniform (which he really doesn’t like because extra attention isn’t really his thing), but I don’t mind because I think he looks so handsome. Did you know that it’s actually widely agreed that the Marine uniform is the best of all the branches—just ask the Army, Air Force, and Navy! ;)
Speaking of hockey, we got an early Christmas gift this year with some freezing winter temps, which meant plenty of pond hockey time before the holiday. We tried to recall the last time this happened, and we think it was maybe 7 or 8 years ago. G was pumped and spent hours on end—sometimes 8+ hours—playing pick-up hockey with neighborhood friends. There they were, under the lights, surrounded by friends and a roaring fire nearby—just the best of winter memories.
And speaking of Christmas, Patty D pulled through with an amazing surprise gift—a typewriter! Months ago, I casually mentioned how I’d love to have one (because, if you know me, you know I should’ve been born in the 19th century), and he tucked that little wish away for this moment. I’ve already written a few letters on it, and I absolutely love everything about it—the sound, the slow pace, and the simplicity it brings. I have a few pen pals, so it will be perfect for writing my letters.
This year, one of my goals is to write more snail mail notes—something that a sweet colleague started doing for me after I left teaching. We still send letters back and forth (even though we could easily just text each other!), and I can’t tell you how much it brightens my day to receive a letter in the mail! I’m looking forward to embracing more of these thoughtful, personal connections, and continuing to nurture the simple joys that bring us all together.
As I write this, we are winding down from Christmas and thinking about the year ahead. January brings a natural time to reflect—looking back on the year past and all the memories made (something I’ve done in the first few paragraphs of this newsletter!). While I don’t set specific resolutions, I do take time on New Year’s Day to create a vision board, a tradition I’ve done for the past five years. The board is framed and lives in my kitchen throughout the year. I don’t have a specific vision for the board and often let the creative process guide me, even if I’m not sure where it’s leading. One year, despite having no plans or money for a family vacation, a picture of a plane window and beaches kept calling to me. I added it to my board, and by the end of the year, we had somehow manifested a trip to Mexico—something we hadn’t even dreamed of doing. I’m excited to see what comes up for me this year.
Remember, resolutions don’t have to happen just on this one day. My friend Rachel, who writes a weekly Monday Mettā newsletter, reminds us that we don’t need to wait until January 1st to make resolutions:
[The pressure of New Years is] a day where we must make resolutions! A day that somehow represents the next 364 days! A day where all must go right or the whole year will feel off!
Here’s the thing, though. Every day begins a new year. Every day is a birth-day. Each morning as we wake up, we have a chance to start the day, or the year, in a new way or in our favorite way. Putting pressure on one or two days out of the year to propel life changes and seed new intentions dulls possibility. It doesn’t allow for the fact that my best idea may come on a random Tuesday in July, or that my best day this year was in September.
Beginning each day with possibility alleviates the pressure to be perfect, because possibility is inherently unknown and thus, imperfect. Even on a special day, possibility can include multitudes. …there is special-ness to every day, just as there is normalcy. Sometimes pressure to make one day perfect comes at the expense of actually enjoying yourself. A balance of the mundane with the absolutely delightful can often just feel like… a day. Any day. Any day where you wake up again: a re-birth, a new year, a new beginning.
Yes, it’s true. We can begin a new day, any day. (Like when you decide at the end of the year (not in January!) that you’re going to fight your fears and get another tattoo that will wrap around your wrist, you just do it. You don’t need to wait for a New Year to set that goal (true story!).) However, the start of the year does offer a natural pause to reflect and think about our year ahead. So, I will be spending the day with my vision board, walking alone in the woods, and sitting for a few minutes in quite thought—setting intentions and thinking about how to nurture them throughout the year.
So, as we welcome 2025, let’s remember that new beginnings and resolutions don’t just happen once a year. We have the opportunity to create fresh starts whenever we choose. Happy New Year!
Love Letters From Nature
Just a few weeks ago, we experienced the shortest day of the year, and now, little by little, we’re inching closer to longer, lighter days. (That’s hard to believe when the sky is pitch dark by 5 p.m.!) If you've been following my newsletters from the start, you know how I used to feel about the dark days of winter. They were once a source of anxiety for me. The past few years, however, I’ve truly embraced everything the winter season has to offer—even the darkness. I committed to getting outside for walks as much as possible, even on those frigid days when I can feel my nose hairs freeze with each breath (and we’ve had quite a few of those lately!). Just five years ago, I never would have walked alone in the woods, especially not in the dead of winter. How time changes things!
So, this love letter looks much like many of my others—me pausing to snap a photo of the sun peeking through a village of trees, casting beautiful shadows. I stop dead in my tracks every time the sun breaks through the trees, warming my face, even if it’s just for a second. It’s a reminder to me that, even in the darkest of days or seasons, there’s always a little bit of light.
Kid Moga
Warning: This section includes potty language! I aim to share strategies and techniques here that are primarily focused on kids but are also relevant for adults—since not all of my readers are parents or caregivers. While sometimes I hit the mark and other times I miss, I think today’s section will resonate with everyone, though you might need to find a way to adapt it for your kiddos (unless, of course, your family is comfortable with a bit of profanity—no judgment here!).
I’ve read several of Brené Brown’s books over the years, and they’ve been truly transformative for me, especially Daring Greatly. So, when a friend at work mentioned a Brené Brown podcast, I immediately took note. In the episode, Brené talks about FFTs—otherwise known as Fucking First Times. She explains that this strategy is about “staying in tough first times versus tapping out and shutting down.”
The truth is, I bet we could all use a class on navigating FFTs—especially kids. Can you imagine if you had learned how to handle FFTs as a child? Maybe some of you did, but I know I certainly didn’t. Kids, in particular, are constantly facing them—ALL. THE. TIME. Whether it’s trying a new food, attending a new summer camp, or starting a new school year, they’re always working through their own FFTs. For me, years of therapy helped me with parenting these moments because I could relate to how my kids were feeling when facing these challenges. I, too, had learned (am still learning) to sit with discomfort (with acknowledgement and non-judgement) instead of avoiding or shutting down from it. And while it’s painful at times, it truly works.
One memory that comes to mind is when one of my kids was having a meltdown in the lobby of a summer hockey camp. I can’t do it! I can’t go in there! I don’t know anyone! I want to leave! Sheer panic, tears and snot included. I simply reminded them that everyone feels a little nervous doing something new for the first time—no matter how many camps they’ve been to before. Even though they had attended other hockey camps, this one was a new experience. It’s incredible how comforting it can be to hear that you’re not alone in feeling that way, and that the only way through is to lean in.
This is especially true when we’re doing something we’re not very good at or have never done before—like a true FFT. It’s what helped me step onto the Jiu-Jitsu mat for the first time and keep going back for over a year until I eventually took a break. The best thing we can do for our kids is to shepherd them through their FFTs (maybe you can call them Friggin’ First Times or Fear-LESS First Times for your little ones). As we start this new year, this could be the perfect time to practice leaning into those FFTs, both for ourselves and for the kids in our lives.
Recommendations from a Mindful Library
I have a confession to make. I’ve spent most of my winter break not reading (even though I had big plans to!) and instead indulging in reality TV—very unlike me—by binging Season 7 of Love is Blind. Oh well. I know I’ll get back to the towering stack of books currently claiming real estate on my nightstand—there are so many more I can’t wait to dive into. Anyway, now that I’ve come clean, here are a few books I’ve loved, am currently enjoying, and plan to finish in the new year.
For those of you with little ones in your lives or who are teachers, here's an adorable picture book for the winter solstice. I know we just passed the solstice, but maybe you could pick it up for next December. The Shortest Day has beautiful illustrations and shares the ancient traditions and celebrations tied to this time of year, like honoring the return of the sun and the promise of longer days ahead. I highly recommend it, especially if you're planning a solstice party. And if you don’t want to wait that long, Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring is another good choice.
I don’t usually listen to audiobooks because I find it harder to follow the story compared to reading it on paper. But when a friend recommended 10% Happier and said it felt more like listening to a podcast—no need to pause to take notes or rewind if you missed something—I was sold. Ironically, I had tried reading the book years ago and couldn’t get into it, but this time has been different. I’ve really enjoyed hearing Dan Harris share his journey from news anchor to mindfulness leader, especially as he talks about what launched him into this path—a panic attack on live television. (I can relate to a panic attack, but thankfully not on live TV!) Anyway, I highly recommend this book, especially if you're not a fan of the flowery, 'hippie-dippie' style that some other mindfulness books come with.
Lastly, I’m still working my way through BoyMom and The Myth of Normal—both books I really enjoy, but I keep getting distracted by other books or binge-worthy TV shows. I’d love to host a BoyMom book club at some point, so if you happen to read it and would be interested in joining, let me know! Otherwise, that’s all for now. I’ll have more book recommendations to share in February.
Final Thoughts…
The two older boys were out with friends on New Year’s Eve, so it was just the three of us. We kept it simple—ordered Chinese food (a tradition), played some NHL on the Xbox (G beat us both, though I suspect some cheating might’ve been involved), and watched The Wild Robot. We were all in bed by 10pm. At first, I felt a little bad about ringing in the new year asleep, but my body (which was fighting off a bit of a cold) craved simplicity, and that’s exactly what I gave it. So, I’ll leave you with a fortune cookie message for the year ahead. Wishing you a simple, joyful New Year filled with happiness and health!
Sending Love,
Leonor
Leonor is a licensed ELA teacher, Director of the Hammett Ory Library at The Fenn School, and Moga (Mindfulness + Yoga) Practitioner. She is also the mother of three boys and has learned a whole lot from making mistakes and trying again.