January 2026
We humans have lost the wisdom of genuinely resting and relaxing. We worry too much. We don't allow our bodies to heal, and we don't allow our minds and hearts to heal.
-Thich Nhat Hanh
The new year is here! I had a long, a very long list of things I wanted to accomplish before the new year so I could be better prepared to grow Platform. Then I got sick, or really fatigued from an episode of indigestion or something or another. In other words, I got my annual sickness that I get to end the year and general malaise where all I wanted to do was sit and veg before the tv. And well, that was all I accomplished. Resting and a healthy dose of guilt.
So am I better prepared to organize after the rest?! Well, if you know anything about resting, you would know that resting leads to more malaise and more don’t-want-to-do anything attitude. It is good for the body but getting around to doing any work is a challenge.
But need not worry. I have plans and I will get them going in 2026 starting next week. I need more rest but I also would like to give our leaders some time to rest during the winter break. If experience has taught me anything, it is the importance of resting before starting anything new. It allows our minds to reset, recharge, and release our negative thoughts/energy to prepare for whatever may arise in the new year.
Am I looking forward to 2026? I don’t know but I am looking forward to connecting with our community, the leaders of Aurora. They make all of the work worthwhile. I enjoy their energy and enthusiasm which is difficult to muster once you age and have been around nonprofit work for an extended period of time. It’s the politics of working with a team of volunteers, board members, and limited budget. Yet I am grateful for the young adults who work, sometimes with heart, sometimes with sluggish effort, but usually with an appreciation of the need for the programs for our youth in Aurora. Meaningfulness! It is not something we always have in life.
Sam Joo
CEO and Founder
January 1, 2026