Dear Friends,
Traditionally, for thousands of years, our ancestors knew that winter was the season when time slows, everything rests, and energy gathers. Nothing needs to be rushed. Rest isn’t something to apologize for.
January is the middle (and heart) of winter with limited light, extra chill, and a desire to rest and cozy up to a good book. Yet, we are told this is the beginning of a new year. We are encouraged to become our best selves, set ambitious goals, and engage more with the world around us.
It can be overwhelming, frustrating, and stressful. With that in mind we want to encourage you to take time to relax, be circumspect and mindful. Wrap yourself in that comfy sweater or fuzzy blanket. Break out a puzzle or turn on a favorite movie, enjoy hot tea or cocoa. Let winter be winter.
BEST, too, is embracing the relaxed pace and restful feelings of winter. We’re taking the time to review and improve all that we did in 2025. And we learned a lot from a busy year …
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Why do those numbers matter? The more than 6,000 visitors to our website are people who engaged with our website in one way or another; downloaded resources, read our blog, played our online games, attended a webinar. The 3,000 program participants are those who attended our workshops, took a class, participated in support groups, lunch & learns, and more. Compared to that 88 may seem like a small number until we recognize that number represents the number of groups we facilitated in 2025.
These results are exciting not because BEST did something fantastic, but because people continue to find value in who we are, what we offer, and how we engage with our community and we thank each and every one of you. Many of you have shared your thoughts, experiences, needs, and desires for the future.
One of the biggest messages we’ve heard from our community is the frustration with the way many websites, organizations, and professionals talk “at us” or “about us” instead of talking “with us.” I’m reminded of the protest chant, “Nothing about us without us!”
We want dialogue. We want engagement. Through dialogue and engagement we learn as much from you as, we hope, you learn from us. That’s what being a community is about. YOU are US and that makes WE.
Another message BESTies have sent us is the desire for more brain-friendly tools. We tested our “Challenge Of The Month” in 2025 and received valuable feedback on what worked for you and what might be more helpful going forward.
Beginning January we’ll share one 7-day challenge each month. Join us and use our kits to extend that challenge with simple things for the rest of that month. Our goal is to share resources, tips, and strategies along with activities to help strengthen habits and contribute to your quality of life.
February will be filled with activities focused on brain health. We’re collaborating with our friends from the Agile Mind Project and Whole Brain Health in SL to host an engaging, fun, and information-packed Better Brain Fair. As for the rest of the year, consider becoming a member and receive more tools and resources along with BEST updates.
Over the course of 2025 our team has spoken with many of you about the changes and challenges you navigated during the year. It’s 2026 and we are more determined than ever to be here for you. So, whether you’re embracing Hygge, coming home from holiday travels, or celebrating the closeness of family, we wish you a Happy 2026!
G Kraegel, Executive Director
7 January 2026
