Last week, a couple days into 2026, I looked down on what would be the longest lasting sunset I’ve ever had the blessing to witness (over an hour+ of incredible beauty, colour + drama!).
While the scene evoked a deep peace within, I too felt sadness…
sadness for the politics of today, for the impact AI is having on us (our students, our authenticity, our environment, our ability to believe our own eyes), and for those in my circle who are in the midst of grieving (my circle has lost 4 incredible humans in the last 6 weeks - people who were BELOVED members of their families, professions, and communities).
I am reminded of Joni Mitchell’s song ‘Both Sides Now’… to me, this song is a poetic reminder that we can hold both idealism and beauty in our hearts + heads, while also being grounded that life isn’t always easy.
Of course: for there to be light, there must also be shadow, and vice versa.
I hope each of us will find ways to bear witness (we mustn’t ever avert our our gaze from what’s happening in our world),
whilst also looking for those castles in the sky.
I am wishing each of you, and those you love, a sunny 26
AND
the stamina + resolve to overcome the inevitibility of overcast days.
🙏🏼
With gratitude + rose coloured glasses,
Lori
Dedicated to:
Ernie Overland, Monica Nicholson, Bryan Hansbury + Steven Torhjelm
Each of you were stalwarts in making our world a better + kinder place.
You are, and will be, missed by many.