This year we are honored and grateful to celebrate Natural Awakenings’ 20 year anniversary. I know our founder, Sharon Bruckman, never imagined that in just two decades she would be joined by 90 sister magazines across the country. As many or our publishers have experienced, Sharon was led to this endeavor not as a calculated career plan, but by sheer divine intervention. 

  Her passion-fueled mission and inner compass guiding her every step of the way is what has kept Natural Awakenings on the forefront of the growing global awakening to a more conscious, natural and sustainable way to live.

  As a loyal reader, fanatic advocate and then publisher, I understand the personal and spiritual growth experience by those Natural Awakenings touches. The name itself was ahead of its time. Twenty years ago, many of the complementary healing and consciousness-raising tools available today did not exist. Mainstream America was essentially tuned out to the benefits of living a natural lifestyle that’s good for both people and the planet. Today, we like to think that Natural Awakenings is playing a pivotal part in helping this message reach the critical mass required to achieve the beneficial tipping point the world so desperately needs.

My husband and I have enjoyed our new role as publishers and the days spent getting to know those in our healthy living community. We have benefited tremendously from being continually immersed in conversations and information with both local leaders and national experts on natural health, personal growth, spirituality and sustainability. More importantly, each day it becomes more apparent that our holistic community continues to benefit from what we were creating together, and more than ever it is clear we are on the right track.

  This past year, in alignment with the magazine, we had the opportunity to support our growing holistic practitioners, natural business and sustainable organization with our “Wellness Rocks” educational and networking events. We worked together to bring the advantages of natural healthy living alive in our Northwest Florida local communities. Sharing ideas on what naturally works provides us all a rich, inspiring perspective on the creative solutions and collaborative initiatives that are helping people every day.

  Infinite thanks go to our advertisers for their loyal support that makes publishing this free monthly magazine possible, and for sharing their people- and planet-friendly products and services with our community.

  Deep appreciation extends to our entire Natural Awakenings team of fellow publishers, writers, editors, designers and community liaisons, and especially Sharon, for her vision. It’s your love, commitment and stellar gifts and talents that bring all the pieces together each month and keep us delivering our best.

  Blessings upon our Natural Awakenings readers that take the effort each month to pick up our local edition. You are the reason we wake up each day to “awaken” Northwest Florida. 

 

 To the next 20 years! 

With infinite gratitude,

Daralyn Chase, Publisher