Lost and Found: Reflections and Looking Ahead to 2025

By: Gayathri Shukla, January 2, 2025 (This letter was originally sent to our email newsletter subscribers.)

Dear community,

As we step into 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the highlights of 2024 and share what’s on the horizon.

You may recall my sharing of experiences that felt like a loss this past year, disrupting my sense of certainty and stability – like my sudden bike injury and caring for a loved one as she recovered from a stroke – but it served as a powerful reminder of what I found: a profound sense of gratitude for healing, community, and the opportunity to focus on what truly matters, which included: 

• Giving Back:
  • Storytelling for CJSW 90.9 FM.
  • Donating my old car to Alberta Vipassana Foundation.
  • Volunteering at Calgary Board of Education, supporting Calgary Opera, and serving on the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum steering committee.
• Learning:
  • Completing the Indigenous Canada course.
  • Participating in my first 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat.
  • Earning certifications in Trauma-Informed Coaching and Narrative 4 empathy training.
• Community:
  • Launching our inaugural Train the Trainer certification, empowering others to facilitate storytelling in their communities.
• Client Work:
  • Partnering with diverse organizations to foster belonging and inclusion through tailored assessments, training, and coaching.
• 

These experiences weren’t just milestones—they were part of rediscovering gratitude in every aspect of life and work. Thank you for being part of this journey – a journey further affirmed by the honour of receiving SAIA’s Outstanding Business Award.