Hello from Vienna, Austria! I am writing to you from one of the most unique speaking events I have ever done—a Wellness Cruise on the Danube River from Budapest to Vienna. Hosted by Tauck travel for 150 women in the travel industry, I spoke on self-care and lowering stress during the holidays. We talked about about the myth of work-life balance, awe and wonder, how to find joy, strengthen connections, and regulate emotions, AND we celebrated the launch of All is Calmish with 150 books on board! What a dream! 

Awe and Wonder

The biggest surprise on this cruise was that a few of the European Christmas markets opened a week early, getting us all in the holiday spirit with their sparkling lights and the cozy scents of cinnamon and orange in the air.

What I want to share with you as we begin this ascent into the holidays is an idea from my talk on awe and wonder. One insightful woman pointed out how often we experience life through the lens of a screen—photographing and recording in an effort to capture memories. Yet what we know is that it’s almost impossible to fully capture the experience in living color as we live it en vivo. Too often, we miss the true magnitude of the moment—the awe and the wonder—because we’re trying to save it instead of savor it.

What I encouraged them to do is my advice to you in this season. Before you touch your camera app to record a holiday moment, take five seconds and make it a moment just for you. Take in the lights in the city, the sounds of the choral concert, the joy of your friend opening their white elephant gift. Whatever it is, experience a little of the awe and wonder of that moment before you experience it through the phone. We will remember it differently if we pause to actually experience it.

While in Budapest, I came across this beautiful article on awe and how it transforms our mind and bodies. 

Book Launch Events

Thank you to all who already bought tickets to the Holiday Kick Off event with the Today Show’s Dylan Dreyer, Comedian Tim Washer, and me! All proceeds from this event will benefit the Community Table Ridgefield Food Pantry to assist families facing food insecurity. Please come for an evening of a little calm and a lot of joy and consider bringing a friend or two! 

You can find information on all of my upcoming book launch events here!

11.18.25 • New York City
11.20.25 • Bedford, NY
12.3.25 • Ridgefield, CT

Gratitude Snapshots

Wishing you every good thing today!

In Case You Missed It

Why 3 Good Things?

Wellness isn’t one big thing—it’s three good things, or two good things, or five. It’s noticing the gifts of the life we have.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ve probably heard me talk about “3 Good Things.” It’s the question I often ask my kids and one of my favorite gratitude practices.

Research shows that identifying three good things each day can actually rewire your brain from negativity to optimism in just 30 days. Follow along for my 3GT each week! And send me yours! I want to hear from you.