In the Northern Hemisphere, just after the Winter Solstice, it seems a perfect time to remind ourselves that after the darkest day of the year, the light has begun its slow and steady return.
This past weekend outside the retreat house where we will gather Jan. 24 and 25. Will you join us?
While the dark time of year (and cold, too, in many climates) can be especially hard on the psyche, it brings its gifts–the seeds of what we will birth in spring or summer or harvest in fall. Winter invites us to slow down (well, maybe, holiday shopping and parties aside) and allow ourselves time to go within:
What’s there inside you?
What needs healing?
What needs voice?
What does your soul wants you to know?
In the midst of all the busyness, I invite you to light a candle. Close your eyes. Go within to your inner light and see what’s calling to you in this moment.
Maybe have a journal and pen handy to capture these soul promptings as soon as you open your eyes.
If you join me and Robin Kall Jan. 24 and 25 for our Creative Abundance Writing Retreat, this could be you, at our nurturing location, nestled by the sea on three sides in a light-filled room with exquisite ocean views.
Writing, and especially journaling, is connecting, healing, nourishing and enlightening. I hope you give yourself time for this important food for body, mind and spirit this season!
And enjoy the social time as well—family, friends, celebration!
With love and wishes for a very happy, healthy and creatively fulfilling 2026,
Lisa
PS if you want to do more writing in the new year—truly make generous space in your life for creative abundance—join me and Robin Kall for our Creative Abundance Writing Retreat Jan. 24 and 25. We’ll get in flow surrounded by incredible nature. We’ll welcome in the inspiration and write. And we’ll help you create a plan for nurturing your creativity and an abundant, fulfilling life for 2026!
Lisa Tener is an award-winning book writing coach who assists writers in all aspects of the writing process—from writing a book proposal and getting published to finding one’s creative voice. Her clients have appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, CBS Early Show, The Montel Williams Show, CNN, Fox News, New Morning and much more. They blog on sites like The Huffington Post, Psychology Today and WebMD.
My Publisher Tamara Monosoff: From the gorgeous cover to inner design, to the original inspiration for QR codes and putting every single one of those crazy videos on my website, and guiding me patiently throughout the process, Tamara is my dream publisher. Thank you!
The most talented photographer in the world, Seth Jacobson
PR Trainers Chris Winfield, Jen Gottlieb, Brittany Sisko, and the entire community at the Be Seen Accelerator
Beta Readers: Joshua Home Edwards, Tracy Hart, Stephanie Meyers, Laurie Hunt, LiDona Wagner, Mia Potter, Gael Johnson, Amber Hanks, Melissa Sones, Gael-Sylvia Pullen, and Paula Schonewald. I hope I did not leave anyone out—if I did please let me know so I can add you here!
Title Support Howard Van Es, Tamara Monosoff, Lorraine Segal, Tama Kieves, Kristin Meekhof.
Launch Consulting Howard Van Es
My Health and Wellbeing Posse who helped me survive the stress-induced health challenges I encountered on the way
Dear Friends Johannah Cremin (and her prayer circle) and Virginia Swain; Qigong teacher, Leah Franklin, and the lineage of Mei Hua Qigong masters from whom she learned; dream shaman Kari Hohne; loving guide, Linda Yael Schiller; acupuncturists Nancy Graham and Patricia Gilmartin; Lynne Ahn, MD and John McGonigle, MD; dowser, Erina Cowan; and special friends Linda Broadhead and Seraina Wood.
Book Ambassadors: Louise Brownell
Podcasters, Show Hosts and Early Adopters: Dan Janal, Sharon Burton Ways, Josh Steimle, Leslie Draffin, Robin Kall
Bloggers and Blogs: San Francisco Writers Conference, Jane Friedman, Nina Amir, Howard Van Es
My Supportive Family: Tom, Will, and Luke Patterson, and Mimi Sammis, you are the lights in my life! Tener and Arnold families, and the Patterson-Potters and Pattersons
My many colleagues from Harvard Medical School’s CME publishing and women in healthcare leadership courses—director Julie Silver, et al.
All my students!
All my amazing writing colleagues
Intellectual property advice, Attorney Dana Newman
A special thank you to my many clients and colleagues who gave me permission to quote their wonderful words in this journal
The brave souls who appear in the accompanying videos.
I could probably go on thanking deserving people for another twenty pages, so for those not listed, please know you have my gratitude.
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