2026 Year of MySELF

Over the duration of this blog, since 2005, I have frequently identified a theme at the start of each new year with a post that states The Year of... That didn't happen in 2025. Now in 2026 I have a theme that brought itself to my attention over the past month. 

Be Yourself

Year of MySELF

This theme came into my awareness when I was invited to attend the play I and You by playwright Lauren Gunderson at CapStage in late December 2025. (Unfortunately, CapStage has removed their landing page for this incredible play that was not part of their regular season and was by far one of the best plays I have seen at this theatre.)

I will not spoil the ending of the play because it is shocking an absolutely worth seeking out if you want a cathartic theater experience. The backbone of the play is Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass. Within days after seeing the performance I purchased a leather-bound edition of Whitman's book. For several weeks it has been sitting on my nightstand as I open it either before sleep or upon awakening to read a few stanzas. To be honest, I've been "stalled" at Song of Myself, feeling a bit guilty about not plowing through. However, now I know that this poem, and the entire book, is meant to be savored, not rushed - in the spirit of how Whitman wrote, published and continuously rewrote these freeform poems. 

Finding MySELF

This morning I awakened to the beautiful white tule fog that has been embracing central California for months. During the holidays I became fond of calling it the yule fog. This morning I lounged in bed admiring the snowlike scene as trees emerged from the fog. Perfect time to reach over to my nightstand and read one of the books awaiting my return. The small pile currently includes Leaves of Grass and a couple of books by Dr. Richard Schwartz about the concept of Internal Family Systems theory. I picked up You Are The One You've Been Looking For and started to read. The paragraph concluded with a reference to Walt Whitman's Song of Myself. I said out loud, "no freaking way". No, I didn't sanitize this for the Internet, I literally said "freaking" because it was freaking weird that Leaves of Grass has been sitting on top of Dr. Schwartz's book for the past several weeks. 

Be YourSELF

Today I was thinking about my spiritual practice. What is it I believe in, that makes me feel safe, secure, protected? I decided that Nature embraces me and that a walk in the woods would be a wonderful way to get in touch with MySELF. I ventured out on a new trail and when I paused at a lookout I noticed this tea tag nestled into a piece of wood. Pictured above, it says, "The purpose of life is to know yourself, love yourself, trust yourself, and be yourself. OK, I got the message. This is the year of MySELF. Thank you Nature and a generous tea drinker for sharing this direct message (from a Yogi Tea). The depth of the message continues because my very special Grammie was a yogini and although she has passed, I believe she always has my back. Her name is Sylvia originating from the word Sylvan which means living or located in the woods or forest. Yes freaking way. 

Scene from the Train

I love train travel and while riding I am inspired by the scenery. Over the past 5 years I've become a fan of Amtrak travel and have now travelled across the country three times by train. The views are inspiring. Plus, I've discovered a tribe of other train travel lovers that I consider my nomadic tribe. 

Please visit my new blog: Scene From the Train ~ Contemplations of an internal life in an external landscape via rail journeys. 

‎⁨February 16, 2025 - Elkhart⁩, ⁨Michiana⁩, ⁨United States⁩

(c) 2025 Amy Kweskin

February 17, 2025 - Kremmling⁩, ⁨Eastern Rockies Corridor⁩, ⁨United States⁩

(c) 2025 Amy Kweskin

February 17, 2025 - ‎⁨Gypsum⁩, ⁨Eastern Rockies Corridor⁩, ⁨United States⁩

(c) 2025 Amy Kweskin

Goal Achieved: Doctor of Business Administration ~ 2024 The Year of Circle Synthesis

Looking back on 2022 I am reminded of the Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) of a 1-year running streak. In 2023 I have kept the running streak going. PLUS, I earned my Doctor of Business Administration from Golden Gate University, which was equivalent to climbing Mt. Everest over 6 years. Reaching the mountain peak was a long and lonely journey but I had the support of my Arts Management mentor, Dr. Anne W. Smith, as my Dissertation Committee Chair.

Here Anne is granting my Doctor of Business Administration degree at MetLife Stadium in San Francisco. Same stadium in which the Hearts of San Francisco project culminated in 2014. All paths in my life are Heart-centered. 

2024 is the Year of Circle Synthesis. A Circle is a complete ring and Synthesis is to place together and combine. My intention is to generate brilliance ~ the intense brightness of light ~ by integrating all the work I have been doing in my career and various practices. The key strategic themes will be steady balance, calm compassion, self-kindness, and core strength. This Circle Synthesis is a process and a product, both of which are yet to be determined. 

Dahlia cat is pictured below sitting on my 8-sided graduation tam. I notice in these two images that Anne's hands are a circle around me and Dahlia cat is sitting in the tam's center. These images symbolize the integration of body, heart and mind. Eight is my favorite number because it is the fluid and flowing infinity symbol ~ a never-ending circle of synthesis.