I’ve been aware lately of how much intention it takes to tend a life—especially in moments of transition. Much of my energy right now is going toward supporting my partner, Alison, and the meaningful work she’s building through her private counseling practice. Watching that work take shape—rooted in care, integrity, and deep presence—has been a grounding reminder that growth doesn’t always arrive through acceleration, but through alignment.
Alongside that support, I’ve been spending time quietly exploring what the next phase of my own career might look like. Not as a sudden pivot, but as a thoughtful unfolding. I’m reaching back out to past connections, welcoming new relationships, and allowing conversations to breathe rather than forcing outcomes. I’m taking time to pause, to listen inward, and to really examine what I want my next act to reflect about who I am becoming.
Interestingly, this inner work has been mirrored in very practical ways—most notably in thoroughly cleaning my home. There’s something symbolic about clearing physical space: letting go of what no longer serves, honoring what remains, and intentionally making room for what’s ready to enter.
As we move into a new year, it truly feels like a season of release and renewal—out with the old and in with the new. I’m feeling open, grounded, and genuinely excited about what lies ahead. If this moment is any indication, 2026 holds tremendous possibility, growth, and connection.
— Dr. Rick L. Mask
Partner | Explorer | Practitioner of Connection and Reverence
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