Skip to main content

Natural Awakenings Dallas -Fort Worth Metroplex Edition

 972.992.8815

November 2013 Publisher Letter

As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, I like to pause to reflect on how grateful I am for God’s abundant blessings. For me, the essence of gratitude has everything to do with an open heart.

I now realize how in my younger years most of the successes I enjoyed were the result of someone reaching out to take an interest in me and my performance. They thought they saw something good in me or felt that whatever I was doing could help make a difference. The funny thing is that I thought it was all about me. Now more mature and, I hope, a bit wiser, I realize such generosity had more to do with their open-heartedness than with granting me my just desserts. Opportunities came simply because I have been blessed in encountering such individuals here on Earth.

I blush to think how I rarely I thanked them appropriately. I remember thinking, “I can never repay them, I have nothing to give that approaches the value of what they gave me.” Yet over time, with the help of the Holy Spirit, my own heart has opened wider. And somewhere along my way it sunk in that I could begin repaying my benefactors by paying it forward to others.

I’ve also learned that giving is seldom about money. Rather, it’s all about encouraging whoever I can, whenever I can in ways that meet their need. It’s about connecting people that can help each other; it’s about taking an interest in promising people with promising ideas. I’d love to hear how you show your gratitude. 

Experts observe that an attitude of gratitude in and of itself can lead to growth, help restore balance in our lives, and welcome even more good in to be thankful for. It’s a perfect season for Natural Awakenings to focus on Personal Growth. So we invite you now to take a moment to hit the “pause” button and discover the people and ideas within these pages that might light a path to new views, perspectives and perhaps a renewed sense of inner peace and gratitude for you.

In our feature article, “Fast Track to Personal Growth,” Bess J.M. Hochstein explores several avenues of self inquiry that can lead to more grace and love for our self and thus, those around us. Each positive choice and selfless contribution we make ripples out to benefit the whole, joining other expanding ripples in making the world more like our Creator intended it to be.  What a wonderful thought to move forward with during this special season of Thanksgiving.

I’ll close by expressing my deepest gratitude for you, our loyal readers, advertisers and distributors, who support green, healthy and sustainable lifestyles in the DFW Metroplex and spread the good news of this magazine to friends and colleagues. Some of you even pick up a number of copies at your nearest Whole Foods Market, Central Market and Sun Flower Shoppe stores for your office. Thank you all; we strive to earn and deserve your loyalty.

Until next month—with much gratitude to you all,

Bernice Butler Natural Awakenings Dallas

Bernice Butler, Publisher

Heartfelt Salute
A few days before we went to press, the Natural Awakenings publishing family lost a dear and important member, John R. Voell, a visionary co-founder of the company and an inspiration and mentor to many local publishers, including me. His life exemplified the possibilities that flow from simply removing the hill in order to keep on going and growing. He’s one of the most positive, compassionate and spirited people I’ve known and will be greatly missed.

His niece commented this week that wherever he is, John is likely creating something to help others. He’s known around here for saying, “I don’t know what your spiritual beliefs are, but I believe that when I leave this world, I’m going to somehow measure my success by those I’ve helped along the way.” Those who knew and worked with him would say that he more than succeeded, he soared