“And the time came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom” ~ Anaïs Nin

Just as I was gathering my thoughts to write about our special Personal Empowerment issue, my phone rang. A nephew had hit bottom. Sobbing, distraught and feeling hopeless, he said he was going into rehab again the next day. Releasing the temptation to repeat all the wise advice I’d offered in the past, reminding him that his addiction is not who he truly is, I silently acknowledged that this is his journey. Then, I simply congratulated him for recognizing his need and taking constructive action.

I urged him to envision his success all the way through to seeing himself as whole and healthy, but I doubt he heard it. Afterwards, I prayed that this time, my nephew would become empowered enough to make a deep and lasting breakthrough, so that his beautiful spirit could shine forth.

That experience has caused me to reflect on other times I’ve witnessed how loved ones have weathered challenges and transitions. While some broke down in defeat, others broke open into transformation. We’ve all celebrated friends and family members that have risen from the ashes of illness, divorce or the loss of a job or a loved one to become stronger, wiser and more in touch with themselves.

Thinking back on the heart-wrenching events in my own life, I am profoundly grateful for both finding the resources to support me in the transition and ultimately opening myself to new blessings.

How do we become able to consistently make helpful changes in our life? In “Powerful You! Six Ways to Create the Life you Want,” writer Judith Fertig explores how personal empowerment is about taking a stand—developing a vision, countering misguided beliefs and creating a plan to move forward one step at a time. In this month’s issue, you’ll find plenty of tools and resources to help you take your next step, whether it’s forgiving someone, making a career change, mastering a new yoga pose or honing a life skill.

I believe we are innately wired to evolve, and experience shows me that when we get results, even in a small way, it helps fuel our desire to take more chances and set higher expectations. We hear from eight local experts that offer a variety of methods for healing hindrances and expanding our personal sense of empowerment.

This Thanksgiving, while we focus our energies on giving gratitude for the many blessings in our lives, let’s go a step further to also give thanks for the big hurdles that spark an opportunity to create a more authentic life. I look forward to celebrating with my nephew the fact that his current trials have become the impetus for life-changing growth that stands as a beacon for others. May your own journey provide you with abundant opportunities to fly fearlessly to new heights.

In deep gratitude for all that is,

Sharon Bruckman, Publisher