The practice of gratitude is a core part of my own faith—and many other faith traditions as well. Beyond its spiritual roots, gratitude is also known to bring real health benefits, from lowering stress to lifting overall well-being. I know that our official gratitude holiday is coming, but I don’t think we can be too thankful.

As I reflect on my life right now, I feel grateful for so much.

Take a break from the noise of the world and immerse yourself in creativity at the Sacramento Open Studios Tour this weekend—Saturday & Sunday, September 20–21.

You’ll find me at Studio 218 in Oak Park alongside two of my favorite artists:

• Linda Clark Johnson, who creates beautiful cyanotypes and pottery

• Riva Wittenberg, who designs organic-inspired jewelry

I’ll be bringing a fun mix of work—everything from house pieces to layered natural-history-inspired artworks, plus brand-new creations using alternative photography processes. There will be art for every budget, and as a special thank-you, every purchase (in person or online) comes with a free gift of original artwork.

Art is deeply healing, for both the creator and the viewer. Simply looking at artwork can reduce stress and anxiety. Taking a pause from daily tasks to enjoy nature-inspired imagery, in particular, calms the nervous system. Science even shows that engaging with art you love releases dopamine, the same “feel-good” chemical that lights up when we fall in love.

Art can also create safe, non-verbal spaces to process difficult memories or emotions, sometimes leading to true catharsis. I’ve seen this firsthand with my own work: more than once…

Last week at our Flourish gathering, we were sharing some of the things that made us anxious, the very reasons many of us had come in the first place. The atmosphere grew heavy, the stress almost tangible. Then came a simple directive: look around the room and find something that gives you delight.

For me, the choice was easy. While helping set up earlier in the day, I had noticed a couple of small mammal skulls in the space (which also hosts children’s programs). I made a beeline for them and picked the one that spoke to me most.

I want to let you in on a little secret: I don’t know what I’m doing.

Well, sometimes I have a general idea of where I’d like to go, but I rarely know exactly how to get there.

A lot of people feel they need clarity before they can begin something new—or at least someone to guide them through the process. And thank goodness for that (my work as a teacher depends on it!). But here’s the truth: we don’t actually need all the answers before we start.