Now that the holidays are settling down, many of us are beginning to return to our routines that are no longer impacted by celebrations and social gatherings. As we walk into the new year, many of us experience both hopeful anticipation and trepidation at the uncertainty of what is to come. The new year is often a moment in which we observe the opportunity to start anew; to make an approach to something that is different than we have before.

For humans, much of our worry, anxiety, and distress is based on our perception of an event, situation, or interaction. Our thoughts—those innermost things that influence how we interpret the world around us—have an immense influence on our emotional health and our overall well-being. That said, our thoughts and perceptions are heavily influenced by several factors, for good or ill.

The information that we are exposed to every day, however brief that exposure might be, influences our inner world. Consider, for a moment, the information that you seek out and allow to enter your mind and to influence your beliefs. What information is your mind exposed to through what you read, news you view, the people you converse with, or the videos you watch? How does exposing your mind to such things impact your emotional state? If you find that you are having strong emotional reactions of worry or distress based on the information you are often exposing yourself to, it may be a useful strategy to consider an intentional redirection of what you allow yourself to consume.

Ill leave you with a quote from Mark Twain, who said, “I have known a great many troubles, most of which have never happened.” Wonder if we can change how we are feeling by monitoring our thoughts?

- Paul Ingram, Clinical Director for Hope Community Resources, Inc.

Mindful Practices for Mental Health:

• Identify what types of content trigger strong emotions.
• Choose uplifting or educational content over sensationalized news.
• Follow accounts that promote positivity and mental wellness.
• Recognize that thoughts are not facts, and reframe negative thoughts to focus on solutions.
• Focus on what you can control instead of what you cannot.
• Practice gratitude to shift your perception toward the positive.
• Use “STOP” to interrupt negative thinking: Stop, Take a breath, Observe, Proceed.
• Replace “what-if” worries with “even-if” reassurances.

Linda Golding, President of the Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska, presented generous contributions from the Club and its members to our Executive Director Michele, given with gratitude to support Hope’s mission! Thank you for your ongoing generosity and partnership!

"The past is your lesson. The present is your gift. The future is your motivation." – Zig Ziglar

At the start of the year, we shared with you some of Hope’s primary goals for 2024 in the form of a Vision Board. These included building inclusive communities, celebrating joyful events, elevating community partnerships, advocating for progress, and more. The year brought both hardship and moments of magic, the latter made possible by the people and families who choose our services and the ardor and perseverance of you all—our supporters. This month, our Executive Leadership Team gathered to reflect on our progress, and we are proud to share that we made great strides toward every goal.

Progress Toward Our Vision Goals

Thanks to a grant from The Alaska Community Foundation, we increased attendance in our Community Engagement Center’s Summer Camp, creating opportunities for inclusivity and joy. Campers engaged in meaningful activities with their peers, building relationships and a sense of belonging. Renovations and upgrades to many of our assisted living homes—funded by The Rasmuson Foundation, The Mat-Su Health Foundation, and the Reitman Family Trust—improved accessibility, security, and quality of life for the residents and their support staff. These changes also checked the box of sustainability by modernizing facilities to meet current needs.

We continued working on the design and build of a new intentional neighborhood initiative called Denali Village, a project that combines advocacy in action, impactful partnerships, inclusive communities, and innovative and sustainable strategies. It focuses on a holistic approach to inclusive living and our vision is that it will become a vibrant, accessible neighborhood where people of all abilities live meaningful lives with choice and independence.

We faced a variety of challenges with a “how can we say ‘yes’” mindset and worked hard to remove barriers to better serve people in need. We have been actively partnering with the Office of Children's Services, the Department of Health, and Licensing to find a path to support children with complex needs so they can be supported in Alaska. Our innovative Travel Direct Support Professional program gave us continued flexibility in addressing staffing challenges and continuity of services for the people we support.

We hosted and participated in more events than we can count—surpassing even some pre-pandemic years—including Hope's Disco Gala, the Walk & Roll for Hope, and Night to Shine; summer picnics, First Friday events, Disability Pride, and holiday celebrations, to name a few. Events like Deaf Awareness Week, DSP Appreciation Week, and the showing of Intelligent Lives offered moments of advocacy and partnership.

Celebrating the exceptional work of our team was another highlight of the year. Joelene Fortin received the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award, and Diana Medina was named Alaska’s 2024 DSP of the Year! This marks two consecutive years of recognition for our staff—Sharon Miranda received the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award, and Masaneh Jatta was Alaska’s 2023 DSP of the Year. These deserving tributes highlight the quality of our staff—the people behind our mission—and the amazing work they do for people with disabilities—the people at the heart of our mission.

Looking to the Future

We carry the lessons and successes of the past year and beyond, and in preparing for the coming year, we have set our sights on updated goals for our organization. Our 2025 Vision Board focuses on strengthening community engagement, continuing to build inclusive communities, ensuring a meaningful and sustainable impact, and more. Together with you, we are looking forward to a year of great purpose, connection, and progress.

Because he was outstanding in his field!

Laughter is a universal language that lightens our emotional load and creates connection. Incorporating humor at work isn’t just about having fun—it’s about reaping tangible physical, emotional, and social benefits.

In our busy lives, it can be easy to become preoccupied and overlook the power of a simple smile or friendly exchange. Laughter can lift our spirit and create an environment where others feel safe and valued. Making the effort to share a lighthearted moment just might make someone’s day—including your own!

Sharing humor with others also offers a variety of health benefits. It stimulates our heart and lungs, increases oxygen intake, and releases endorphins. It can strengthen the immune system, relieve pain, improve mood, and reduce stress. Studies show that humor improves team morale, job satisfaction, productivity, and leadership effectiveness. A smile or shared laugh can create a ripple effect of positivity, strengthening both individual well-being and organizational culture. A workplace that embraces humor also embodies stronger connections, creativity, and a relaxed environment, making difficult tasks and situations feel more manageable.

So, how can you sprinkle a little humor into your workday? Start small. Make a team tradition of sharing a weekly joke, create a shared joke board, add a touch of humor to your emails and text messages, or celebrate fun days like National Joke Day or National Donut Day. Just remember, humor should always be inclusive and kind—it should never come at someone else’s expense.

Laughter isn’t just a quick pick-me-up; it brings moments of levity that can reset your perspective and is a tool for long-term wellness and resilience. So, take a moment today to smile, laugh, and share joy with your friends and colleagues. You may find that it truly is the best medicine.

Resources for Clean Humor and Jokes:

• Aha! Jokes (www.ahajokes.com)
• Reader’s Digest Humor (www.rd.com/funny/jokes)
• Jokes 4 Us (www.jokes4us.com)
• National Day Calendar (www.nationaldaycalendar.com)
• Laughter Online University (www.laughteronlineuniversity.com)
• Laugh Factory (www.laughfactory.com)
• Culture Amp Blog (www.cultureamp.com/blog)

Today, we honor Human Rights Day—a reminder that every person deserves dignity. Every person deserves freedom. Every person deserves equality. We stand united in promoting the rights that bind us and building a world where these rights are the standard for all.

From earthquakes to wildfires to extreme winter storms to power outages, Alaska is no stranger to severe and unpredictable natural disasters. Many of us feel anxious and overwhelmed when faced with events beyond our control. But preparing in advance for potential emergencies can give us peace of mind and a sense of security.

Emergency preparedness is crucial, especially for events like earthquakes and power outages, which are sudden and can leave us without essential services. Start by creating a family emergency plan so that each person knows their role, responsibilities, and where to meet if an emergency occurs. Determine an evacuation route and practice it occasionally to ensure everyone feels comfortable and prepared. Along with this, assemble a disaster preparedness kit with essentials such as food, water, prescription medications, blankets, a whistle, a multi-tool, and first aid kid. For power outages, keep extra batteries, a portable phone charger, and, if possible, a backup power source for critical electronics, particularly for anyone relying on medical or assistive devices. Make sure your home and workplace are equipped with working smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers.

Staying informed can also help alleviate stress. Sign up for local emergency alerts, follow trusted news sources, and check weather updates to stay aware of any developing situations. Practicing self-care is also important. Regular exercise, mindfulness, and adequate rest contribute to a calm and resilient mindset. Connecting with friends and family can provide mutual support.

Taking proactive steps to prepare for potential emergencies now will help ease anxiety and allow us to respond to any unknown challenges safely and strategically.

Items to put in your emergency preparedness kit:

• Water (minimum of one gallon per person per day)
• Non-perishable food
• First aid kit
• Prescription medications
• Flashlight and batteries
• Battery-powered radio
• Portable phone chargers
• Whistle
• Dust mask and gloves
• Emergency blanket
• Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife
• Copies of important documents (in a waterproof container)

Situational anxiety is a common response to unfamiliar, worrisome, or stressful events, such as job interviews, public speaking, social conflicts, and major life changes. It's normal to feel a minor fight-or-flight response when faced with situations where we feel a lack of control. Fortunately, there are many effective strategies you can use to manage and reduce the impact of situational anxiety.

Anxiety has a tendency to magnify the fear of negative outcomes. When you picture the worst-case scenario and considering its true likelihood, you may find that even at its worst, there is hope for a good long-term outcome. Connecting with someone supportive and like-minded can also provide comfort and clarity, and reduce feelings of isolation or fear. For situations that cause heightened nervousness, such as giving a speech or presentation, do several practice runs to help build confidence. Rehearsing and preparing in advance will remove some of the uncertainty and give you more of a sense of control. Stress management techniques are also a powerful tool to calm situational anxiety. Deep abdominal or meditative breathing can trigger your body’s relaxation response almost instantly. Focus on slow, deep breaths to calm your nervous system and help you regain control over your emotions. Lastly, not all stress is harmful, and in fact, some level of anxiety can be motivating. Instead of viewing healthy levels of stress as something to avoid, try to reframe it in a positive light and harness its power to help you perform well in challenging situations.

Situational anxiety is a normal part of life, but implementing these strategies will help you reduce its negative effects and face challenging circumstances with calmness and confidence. When left unchecked, however, anxiety can intensify to the point that it affects both your mental and physical well-being. If you feel a persistent cycle of anxiety that is not tied to one event or environment, or if at any time you find that your feelings of anxiety are too much to handle on your own, reach out to your primary care provider or a mental health professional for support. A therapist can give you personalized strategies to manage anxiety and address any underlying issues contributing it. You do not have to navigate anxiety alone.

More resources for situational anxiety:

• Careline Alaska - call or text 988 24/7, or call 1-877-266-HELP
• Alaska Behavioral Health
• National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI) Alaska
• Stressing Out: 7 Ways to Cope with Situational Anxiety (Clay Behavioral Health Center)
• 11 healthy ways to handle life’s stressors (American Psychological Association)
• What is situational anxiety? (Talkspace)