For me, this past year was all about settling into my new role as a Natural Awakenings publisher and getting to know more about our local natural living community. Many exciting and challenging changes unfolded in my experience; I believe they have been preparing me for a monumental leap in personal growth in this propitious year of 2012. How about you?

Along the way I’ve seen how, when our focus shifts onto something or someone new and exciting coming into our life, we may lose sight of some trustworthy basics. In 2011, I seriously got off track when I surrendered my regular workout, meditation time and other forms of self-nurturing that are vital to my well-being. I’m here to tell you that the real fun begins when we finally recognize the lapse. Excuses don’t hold water and the time comes to take action.

I am thankful that I’ve now resuscitated daily habits of both exercise and meditation and am figuring out how to better care for myself just in time to make a few New Year’s resolutions. I am eager to see the promise of 2012 become reality as I re-establish the delicate balance of work, personal life and playtime. I like envisioning wonderful things in store.

January brings a timely focus on Health and Wellness ready to assist with your own resolutions. You’ll find solid information to help, including current health care trends in complementary alternative medicine (CAM) in our feature article, “Alternative Goes Mainstream,” on page [???].  Author Kathleen Barnes discusses the major shift underway as conventional medicine increasingly recognizes the benefits of holistic treatments that take mind, body and spirit into account. I encourage you to explore your own options for wellness with your doctors and find out where they stand on integrating complementary therapies. Chances are they’re moving in that direction.

Before putting your doctor on the spot, be sure to check out “How to Be a Good Patient,” on page [???], by Doctor of Oriental Medicine Terri Evans. Based on her decades of experience working with patients, she provides seven tips to help you help yourself when it comes to communicating with practitioners and creating an optimal wellness plan that works for you.

As we head into the new year, Natural Awakenings will be here to inspire, educate and empower you in fresh ways that help you make lasting positive changes in your life. The benefits are tremendous.

Special kudos go to our loyal advertisers that make it possible for us to bring a whole community of resources to you each month. Thanks, too, to our loyal readers for creating space for us in your lives.

Here’s to a new year of possibilities and peace,

Maisie Raftery, Publisher