525,600 Minutes

This is the time when we look into the reflection of our black mirrors—or the frozen stillness of a winter lake.

We’re nearing the end of the Gregorian calendar year. This is the time when we look into the reflection of our black mirrors—or the frozen stillness of a winter lake.

I’ve been having conversations recently about the many different calendars we use. When do we actually start the year? Why did we move to January 1 as the beginning, instead of March, as in the early Roman calendar—and aligned with the equinoxes observed in the British Empire, Persian, Iranian, Hindu, and Orthodox Jewish calendars?

CREDIT: Feliks Tomasz Konczakowski

Is it because the pagans of the Isles and Europe held these beliefs and were the prevailing culture of the region?

The Winter Solstice is a time for reflection, as the harvest has ended. While we’ve spent the last quarter metaphorically reaping what we’ve sown, now we must endure the harsh conditions with the resources we have. However…

As this is the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere, from here on out, our future grows brighter.

The rune Mannaz

For 2025, I chose a candle bearing the rune Mannaz, intending to carry this theme throughout the year. The 20th rune of the Elder Futhark, Mannaz symbolizes humanity, community, the self, and social connection—emphasizing interdependence, self-awareness, and working together toward common goals.

I embarked on this journey with that intention in mind - COMMUNITY

With gratitude, I thank:

The community in Boston who buoyed me through very dark times.

The operatic community and longtime colleagues in the industry, as we continue to seek impact and relevance.

The community of individuals who share moments with me, whether in person or through the technological tools we use to find connection.

The TV, livestream, and stage community who collaborated on Ariodante.

Those with whom I reconnected during my travels in Europe—my chosen family—who have been with me for years and with whom it was a privilege to reconnect in person.

Our 2025 cohort at the Global Leaders Institute, as we completed our studies and earned our MBA in Arts Innovation.

The two recording teams—one intimate and close to home, the other grand in scale, with more than 100 collaborators in another country.

Those who support public broadcasting and the arts, who can now experience a project from 2024 available on the PBS network. Just in time for the holidays, you can watch Sasha Jane’s stereotype-breaking production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker—the first collaboration between the Jacobs School of Music and Indiana Public Media in decades.

The New York producing community—members of the Producers Guild of America and colleagues at large.

Thank you to everyone reading this.

Beginning in February, I shared 33 submissions on Substack, cultivating a community of engaged readers exploring cultural commentary, art, opera, and media paradoxes around creativity and meaning.

Looking Ahead

When I started this project, I set a goal to publish weekly. I didn’t quite meet that goal—but 33 out of 43 isn’t too shabby. There are a few articles still in development that I haven’t yet finalized for publication.

More to come.

From here, the days grow brighter.

Final Thoughts

Give yourself grace and agency. Time and “new beginnings” are human constructs; reflection can be intentional, not calendar-bound.

Periods of darkness and stillness are not endings, but necessary thresholds toward renewal.

Creative and professional work gains power through collaboration and shared purpose.

Where do you personally mark the start of a new year—or a new chapter— why?

Who or what communities sustained you through this past season?

What intention do you want to carry forward as the light returns?