How would we live, were we not afraid of death?  So asks Marianne Williamson in our feature article, “The Miracle of Midlife: Being Exactly Who We Need to Be,” which is not to be missed. She writes, “The universe is constantly and infinitely elastic, responding not to our past, but to our present state of mind.”

Nowhere have I had that message modeled and reinforced stronger and with more conviction than from John Voell, Jr., co-founder of Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation.  In the midst of fear, doubt, regret and worry, John has been an exemplary model and steady reminder that my thoughts, language and self-talk are crucial to shaping my beliefs, dictating my emotions and allowing the universe to fulfill my desires.

John passed suddenly and unexpectedly a few weeks ago. He was a mentor and supporter to the entire family of Natural Awakenings publishers for 20 years. Together, he and founder Sharon Bruckman have created the vision and implemented this educational and healing vehicle called Natural Awakenings magazine. The first 20 years have flown by and as Marianne Williamson points out in her article, “For the first time in history, we can realistically view the first half of life as a kind of gestation period, preparing us for an even more productive second half.”

So it is with Natural Awakenings magazine. With John’s guidance, we’ve set a solid foundation and created a vision for contributing health, wellness and awareness to the world and assisting others in doing the same. His passing marks a shift into our collective midlife, which Williamson points out can be viewed as a rebirth and a time to “put our engines into high gear.”

Thank you John, for assisting in the lessons I’ve learned and for all you’ve contributed to the world.

This season, as I reflect on gratitude, I’m thankful for all the mentors I’ve had throughout my life and realize that as I too, shift into midlife, my “second puberty”, it’s time for me to mentor others and time to manifest my own unrealized secret dreams.

Here’s sending you good wishes for the upcoming holidays and an invitation to stay in the “now” and choose from the “endless fount of miraculous opportunities” that are present for you.

Keep moving forward and as always, feel good, live simply, laugh more.

Dave Korba, Publisher