A burst of certainty
What I’m craving in this moment, and how I’m seeking it
In the middle of salvaging what we could from our home after Hurricane Katrina, my mom told me that we had to leave our holiday decorations behind. The garage was just too nasty, too overwhelming.
I had deferred to her on every other decision, letting her be the mom as I regressed back to the child, a twenty-year-old kid helper in hot pink rainboots.
A burst of certainty came to me: leaving the garage behind wasn’t an option. We had to save Christmas! And Halloween!
My grandmother, a holiday enthusiast, had decked out her house in seasonal kitsch at every opportunity. I couldn’t bear to lose these physical objects that connected me to her and my childhood. My mom ultimately agreed.
The first thing we recovered from the mud and the muck were my grandmother’s ghost candelabra statues. As we hosed them off, we both felt a surge of relief and delight.
Today, along with so many of you, I’m experiencing another season of horrifying grief and anger. Each time I engage with the news, everything can feel too nasty, too overwhelming to deal with.
In the midst of it all, I also want to invest in my professional life, to continue to take steadfast action on my work and the impact I want to have on the world around me.
It’s difficult to sustain momentum when I’m wondering how the government shutdown will impact my family,worrying about the future of the voting rights act, and fearing for the safety and wellbeing of my neighbors—both in New Orleans and across the country.
The clients I talk with are craving a reset: something to reground them in their priorities. I relate deeply. I’m craving another burst of certainty.
That’s why I’m hosting a free Halloween Party and Goal Setting Workshop Thursday, October 30, 12-1pm EST.
Let’s use some Halloween spirit (👻) to make our next steps less intimidating and more fun.
Whether you attend Thursday’s session or not, consider how you want to engage with the end of the year.
What 1-3 things are most important to accomplish before January?
How will you feel once they’re done?
When you look back at 2025, what would feel like a “Hell yes, I did that!”?
Every year, when I unwrap the ghost candelabras, my face lights up, grateful that my mom and I did the hard thing in that awful post-Katrina moment. It was all in service of our future selves.
Taking a pause to seek joy, reflect, and plan right now can be hard, but it’s easier—and more enjoyable together. Your future self will thank you.
Cheers and happy spooky season,
Lelia
P.S. If you have a Republican senator, consider signing onto this letter to urge them to prioritize healthcare and end the shutdown.
Halloween Party & Goal Setting Workshop
Thursday, Oct 30 • 12–1 pm CT • Free • on Zoom
