Teachings come from everywhere when you open yourself to them. That’s the trick of it really, to open yourself to everything and everything opens itself to you.
– Richard Wagamese, Embers: One Ojibway’s Meditations

Dear Friends of ExchangeEveryDay,

You are what this daily message is all about. As I write, I imagine a conversation with you, considering how you might respond. I have envisioned each message as a gift, something to start (or end) your day with a micro-dose of reflection, and a chance to dig deeper when a particular message strikes you. I have savored and pondered your feedback. I have invited and welcomed your contributions, appreciating the perspectives you bring. I have aimed for messages that inform, delight, challenge, soothe and inspire you. Ever since Roger Neugebauer launched this crazy idea over two decades ago, and later Nancy Rosenow, and then I, took on crafting these daily messages, you’ve been in our hearts.

And now ExchangeEveryDay evolves again. Dimensions, the parent organization of Exchange Press, also includes the Nature Explore program, researching, designing and supporting natural outdoor classrooms and those who work and play in them. To date, I’ve divided my time equally between these two passions. Now I’ll enjoy the chance to focus my work as I shift fully to Nature Explore.

And with a new collaborative approach by our whole Exchange editorial team, ExchangeEveryDay will continue to thrive, becoming ever more true to our name, as we invite more voices, including our ROW Initiative, Exchange Leaders, the World Forum Foundation’s Working Groups and Global Leaders, and YOU! Soon, we’ll share an easy online way to submit your messages and ideas for consideration in ExchangeEveryDay. I can’t wait to see what you bring to our exchange of ideas.

While I welcome fresh possibilities in my work, writing and editing ExchangeEveryDay has been nothing less than an honor and a joy, and I will greatly miss these daily conversations with all 27,000 of you. Keep on reading. Know how essential and inspiring you are. And please share your perspectives and stories with us as we expand the voices in our Exchange community.

With gratitude,
Kirsten Haugen

PS – Before signing off, I want to especially acknowledge and thank Brittany Cernic, who works magic to ensure these messages reach your inbox every day. Thankfully, she’ll continue doing that and much more. Her creativity, reliability, flexibility and grace know no bounds, and she has been a joy to work with. Thanks, Brittany!