Letter from the Publisher

Wow! How quickly this year has gone by. I truly can’t believe it is already November—the elections are here and the holidays are upon us. I kind of want to slow down time—the holidays are the busiest.

Something that helps me slow down and find a sense of calm in the hectic, busy days of work, activities, shopping, chores and the extra stressors that can pop up when we’re least expecting them, is meditation and mindfulness. As meditation teacher, Sharon Salzberg, so aptly states, “In the space created by mindfulness we remember our true identity.” Simply Annapolis Publication will concentrate on more meditation and mindfulness in upcoming issues, and I try to make it a regular practice—to slow down, breathe and focus on the present moment. I don’t manage to do it everyday, but I am always amazed at what a difference it makes when I do make it a priority. It can be as simple as becoming aware of the breath, taking a walk in nature, observing the details of a beautiful flower. There are so many easy ways to get lost in the moment—to switch from do-ing to just be-ing.

I find that when I give myself the gift of solitude and stillness—even for just a few minutes—I am able to be kinder to myself and those around me.

I hope your holiday season is filled with generosity and kindness. Try to find some moments for yourself, to slow down and be present. Take a deep breath right now—breathe in, hold it, exhale slowly. And consider these words by Danna Faulds –

This is what I have to say to you. Throw off the bonds of your conditioning and fear and celebrate the wonder of being here. Experience this moment as it is, connected by breath and essence to the whole. You couldn’t separate it if you tried.

Live this day as if the Earth exhales blessings in your direction, as if trees speak their deepest secrets in your ear, as if bird songs can lift you outside your ordinary state of mind and bring you into truth.

Be the creative juice flowing through the universe. Be compassion in action and wholeness in motion. Be silence and stillness, the ocean of love so palpable that not one cell of you disputes the truth that you are that. Be so open to your destiny that it unfurls like a banner in the sky, a sign saying “Live until you die with gratitude, generosity and grace.”

Happy Reading!

Publisher & Owner, Veronica Fountain

~Tracey M Connor

The Designer’s Spot

Mother Nature must be an Artist too...! The moonlit sky having it’s way on an endless blanket of undisturbed snowfall, Winter ... Amazingness over and over!

The holiday season is sliding in right before our eyes! How wonderful to see a wealth of support and wellness solutions in the same issue as holiday festivities, arts/entertainment and the Annapolis dining scene.

I’m hopeful you will appreciate how many businesses are offering wholistic approaches to physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual healing. 2023 has made clear; “We all have much more to care about, and much more to endure”. Taking time to Reclaim Wellness has been baked in this issue, along-side the spirit of Holiday Cheer!

What’s inside...

When laying out the editorials & ads, I had an opportunity to read about Crypto Tax Prep, and appreciated the deep-dive into interpreting financial wellness.

A Functional Medicine Doctor shares her story, along with several wellness practicioners, and wellness homes for respite.

And, when ready to wisp away, the restaurants, festivities and things to do around town for the Holidays are preparing to receive you with open arms.

A special thank you to the writer’s and photographers for unleashing your creative process and contribution to the Nov/Dec 2023 issue

Happy Winter 2023!

Tracey M. Connor

Simply Annapolis Magazine

Simply Bowie Magazine

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Article By Makenna Underwood