Dear Reader,

This week is my birthday and as we all begin moving toward Christmas, I’ve been thinking a lot about the word honour.

In this podcast episode, Mark Nepo talked about the original meaning of the word honour, which means “to keep what is true in view.”

And this season, truth feels like the most tender and necessary gift.

Because truth is rarely just one thing.

You might be so happy to be around loved ones…
and at the same time so sad because someone is missing.
You might be grieving endings…
and quietly celebrating what’s beginning.

I’ve been sitting with this duality a lot lately.
Letting both joy and ache and peace and anxiety and other contradicting mix of feelings to breathe at the same table.

Honouring What Feels Tender

As I step into my birthday week, I notice that things I would normally move through with ease feel a little bigger right now.

I’m hosting a birthday party on Friday, and usually, I love to be the centre of attention and bring a lot of people together. However, next to me feeling excited I also feel a bit antsy.

Both can exist.
Both are okay.

Tomorrow I’m giving a keynote for a company, public speaking is genuinely one of my favourite parts of my work, but after taking some time out, it suddenly feels more nerve-racking than usual.

The topic is burnout, which feels beautifully poetic, because all I really need to do is stand in my truth. And when I do that, when I honour what’s real for me, it creates space for others to meet their truth too.

That’s the magic of honouring:
Your truth unlocks truth in others.
And that is what matters.

Mental Tension = Attachment of an Outcome
Mental Freedom = Detachment of it + Being Present

One thing I’ve learned about mental tension is that it’s a form of attachment.
When we feel stressed or worried, we’re usually attached to an outcome in the future — Christmas plans, finances, expectations, “what ifs,” moments that haven’t even happened yet.

But the truth is, none of us knows the outcomes.
None of us knows the future.
We are in the same boat - so why do we tense our brains about it?

So, I keep reminding myself to come back to the present and a prayer I lean on before big moments is:

“God, use me as a vessel to bring out what needs to come out in this moment to serve the highest good of all.”

Yes, we can plan — but what truly comes alive is the truth unfolding inside us and within the collective energy of the room.

The key point I want to make for you this season is:

Don’t force yourself to what should be.
Choose to honour your truth and flow from there.

Even if it might mean to rather spend Christmas without your family and they might be disappointed or doing the unexpected and outside the norm just cause you feel it’s right.

Honour yourself, darlings.

Tis’ is the season!

So, I’m asking you:

What is true for you?
And how can you honour yourself and your truth this season?

Maybe it’s slowing down.
Maybe it’s saying no, even though others expect a yes.
Maybe it’s letting sadness sit beside the joy without trying to fix it.
Maybe it’s giving yourself permission to do less — or feel more.
Maybe it’s simply being in the unknown and just allowing yourself to not have answers right now.

Whatever it is, may you keep it in view.
May you honour your heart this season.

Heartfully,
Essi