The evolution of our collective and conscious collaboration continues. The Mayan calendar has ended and the winter solstice has passed, marking the shift into a new era of universal consciousness. The union of this new era with instantaneous global communications has placed us in a position to realize the potential for a magnified rate of positive change never seen before on the planet. It is truly a remarkable time to be alive. Each of us has the opportunity to participate and share in this positive evolution.

Now, if I could only get out of my head and out of my own way and step into my authentic role in this journey. Sound familiar? If you’re like me, you’ll pay particular attention to “One Size Meditation Does Not Fit All” about finding your most practical method of meditation to help still the mind, reduce stress, enhance focus and unify the body, helping you to be present and authentic in the world.

The elimination of stress may be a bit unrealistic; but it’s in the way I cope with and minimize the effect of stress on my mind and body that gives me the greatest opportunity to stay healthy.

Fantasizing about a life of little stress is one thing—putting a real plan into action is a whole other story. In addition to being attentive to the mind-body connection and using meditation as a tool… the theme of Kathleen Barnes’ feature “Healthy Lifestyle Tweaks: Surprisingly Simple Lifestyle Changes for Feeling Good in 2013” is a timely reminder for me to keep things simple and fun so that I don’t indulge my tendency to put too much on the plate. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle, I can adopt ways to simplify my days and still be of service, which nourishes me more consistently than escape to any exotic retreat.

Let’s agree, as we enter a new year, to do our best to keep things simple and joyful in the here and now. In the kitchen, for example, some of my favorite recipes are the ones with natural ingredients and easy preparation. Life doesn’t have to be difficult, and stress can be healed.

It feels good to give ourselves the gift of volunteering our time and talents to help others any day of the year. It helps me to focus on what is really important—our relationships with one another, our world and everything good in it.

Feel good, live simply and laugh more. Happy New Year!

Dave Korba, Publisher