Publisher Letter

May is a special month for me, it marks another trip around the sun. With it, I carry a heart full of gratitude for so many reasons. My family and I aren’t strangers to obstacles or tragedy. I often hear stories from others about the hard things that steal joy: a death in the family, a divorce, job loss, a child in crisis, an unexpected diagnosis or disability. 

Whatever you may be going through right now, I want to encourage you—this is a comma in the sentence of your life, not a period. A comma invites us to pause, to catch our breath. 

I’ve experienced many commas. And while some moments felt like the end, after the dust settled, I saw them for what they were—lessons. Sometimes the lesson was patience or forgiveness. Other times, it was compassion, discipline, self-control—or learning to release emotions, people or situations that no longer served me.

We all know the trap of comparison. Especially in the age of social media, it’s easy to believe that others have it all, great health, a strong marriage, their dream job, the house with the perfectly manicured lawn. People are good at wearing masks. I know, because I wore one too. My hair and makeup were flawless, my smile ever-present. I volunteered constantly at work and at church. But the truth was, my life was falling apart. Most days, I felt as though I were standing at the edge of a cliff, where a single breeze might send me over.  

Why share this? Because someone reading this right now is also barely hanging on. You think you have to keep it together, look the part, seek someone’s approval, and carry the weight of unspoken shame or trauma, things that have never been acknowledged or validated. 

Natural Awakenings of Columbia is more than a magazine. It’s a resource, a place where healing and wellness begin from the inside out. It’s a community that welcomes everyone, without judgment. We share information that can shift the course of someone’s health and life. And right now, that kind of support is needed more than ever. Mental health struggles are rising, and many are not only losing jobs and homes, but also their sense of hope.

To anyone feeling hopeless—there is hope. To anyone feeling unlovable—you are deeply loved. To anyone feeling defeated—you are stronger than you know. To anyone feeling alone—you are not. To anyone feeling weak—you hold power beyond words. 

If you’re feeling suicidal or consumed by rage—please pause. Rest. Let your emotions settle. Give yourself time. Life is precious and fleeting. Those thoughts, while overwhelming, are temporary. Breathe. Pause. Remember this: You’re in a comma season. 

I love you all,

Ms. Tracy