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BERT’S BUZZ JAN/FEB 2026
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What We Remember, We Become MEMORY AS A MAP TO WHO WE ARE
Jan. 19 is Good Memory Day, and every year when it comes around, I find myself lingering a little longer on the moments big and small that have shaped who I am. An Italian poet once wrote, “We do not remember days. We remember moments,” and that truth has woven itself into the way I see my own life. I can barely remember what I wore yesterday, but I can feel, deep in my chest, not just in my mind, the moment each of my children entered the world, or the first instant I saw my wife. Those memories are anchors. They’re lanterns along the path that show me who I’ve been and who I’m becoming.
The pain wasn’t the defining part. The meaning became the defining part.
That’s the beauty of memory: It evolves as we do. Sometimes, we don’t recognize the significance of a moment until years later. I still remember a backpacking trip I took alone in the Pecos back in 1996. It rained. It was cold. My pen barely worked in the journal I carried. At the time, I was mostly wondering why on earth I’d chosen that weekend to test my newfound enthusiasm for backpacking. Yet decades later, I look back on that trip as a turning point, a moment when I built a quiet relationship with myself. That moment wasn’t meaningful then. I gave it meaning by remembering it. Of course, most of our happiest memories aren’t solitary at all. They’re tied to the people I love: my kids, my wife, my friends, my team. Even in my office, I’m surrounded by little mementos: a mini skateboard my son made, a tiny paper laptop with “I love you, Dad” scrawled across the screen, a bank my parents gave me when I was 6. None of them came from a store shelf, but each one carries a chapter of my story, waiting to be reread every time my eyes land on it. We live in a world that records everything but remembers very little. Thousands of photos float in the cloud, untouched. But it’s the printed ones, crooked frames, sun-faded edges, that make me pause and remember. Maybe that’s why curating memories has become so important to me. Not collecting everything, but choosing intentionally what deserves space, both on my walls and in my mind.
We each have a past full of bright memories and difficult ones, moments that altered our course without asking permission. Over time, I’ve learned that those memories, even the painful ones, don’t define us. It’s how we define them that matters. And defining them means confronting them, stepping back, and learning from them. That’s one of the reasons I journal every day. It’s no novel or long- winded diary entry, but just three simple reflections, three things I’m grateful for. Some days it’s easy: a funny moment with one of the kids, a beautiful sunrise on my drive, or even a quiet cup of coffee before the house wakes up. Other days, I write about something that hurt: losing my temper, getting frustrated, falling short. On those days, I’m not grateful the moment happened. I’m grateful I care enough to reflect on it, to look at it honestly, and to learn how to respond better next time. Journaling turns disconnected days into a story with depth, one where even the rough chapters matter. It’s the story of my life, where each moment carries meaning, and where even the hard parts belong. I learned that lesson the long way. When I was younger, a knee injury changed the path I thought I was on. A Yale football coach had been recruiting me, and suddenly that bright future dimmed in an instant. But looking back, that injury nudged me toward boxing, a sport that shaped me for years and taught me resilience I still rely on today.
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Real Ways to Support Our Neighbors in Need Lift a Life, Lift a Community
Ronald McDonald House New Mexico Families of seriously ill children face unique hardships, often traveling far from home and navigating long hospital stays. Ronald McDonald House Charities of New Mexico offers a safe and supportive environment just steps from patient care. Volunteers keep the houses running smoothly, preparing meals, maintaining the facilities, and providing comfort to families during incredibly stressful times. Whether it’s a one- time project or an ongoing commitment, your efforts create relief and stability when it’s needed most. Cuidando Los Niños Cuidando Los Niños addresses the complex needs of children and families experiencing housing instability. From early childhood education to supportive housing and parent education, the organization focuses on resilience and opportunity. Volunteers can contribute in a variety of ways: guiding classroom enrichment activities, supporting administrative tasks, managing the community garden, or organizing donated items. Every skill and hour offered helps create safe, nurturing spaces where children can learn and grow. Making a Difference in 2026 Poverty is often portrayed as a personal failing, but the reality is far more complex. When you participate in Poverty Awareness Month, you can help dismantle stigma and create tangible support for your community. Giving your time, resources, or expertise not only helps those in need but also strengthens our neighborhoods and forges hope for the future. This January, consider stepping beyond your routine and making a meaningful impact. Whether you volunteer at a food bank, assist students, support families in crisis, or share your talents with a community organization, your involvement can help others move closer to the stability and opportunity we all deserve.
Poverty in America is more complicated than many realize. It’s not about laziness or “falling behind”; it’s about families and individuals navigating challenges far bigger than themselves. This Poverty Awareness Month, you have an opportunity to turn awareness into action and to help neighbors, students, and families move from struggle to stability. Here in Albuquerque, several local groups provide meaningful ways to give back. Whether you donate your time, share resources, or offer your skills, you can play a crucial role in helping families and individuals build a more secure future. Roadrunner Food Bank Hunger remains one of the most immediate impacts of poverty, and Roadrunner Food Bank has stood at the forefront of hunger relief in New Mexico since 1979. Just in the past decade, they’ve distributed 170 million pounds of food, making 141 million meals possible for neighbors facing food insecurity. Volunteers can assist in multiple ways: prepping food in the warehouse, helping distribute meals, or lending specialized skills to support the organization’s operations. You can also donate food directly or host a food and fund drive with family, friends, or coworkers. Every contribution, whether time, food, or funds, ensures that more families have access to nutritious meals. Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) Clothing Bank For children, poverty often creates barriers to learning. The APS Clothing Bank works to ensure students have the essentials they need to feel confident, comfortable, and ready to participate fully in school. Serving more than 3,800 students annually, the organization provides clothing, school supplies, and resources to families in need. Volunteers play a critical role in this mission, from distributing clothing and organizing supplies to helping at events. Each act of service strengthens the community, encourages dignity, and gives students the chance to thrive.
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In a world that races ahead at full speed, it’s easy to lose sight of wonder. We rush through our routines, scrolling, planning, and worrying, and rarely pause just to feel. But when we do stop long enough to notice the world’s quiet beauty, something remarkable happens: We experience awe. This emotion, which is part surprise, part reverence, can shift our perspective, soothe our nervous system, and reconnect us with something larger than ourselves. Discover the magic of feeling awe. When we are captivated with awe, time seems to slow. Our thoughts, usually centered on our own problems and plans, suddenly expand to encompass the broader picture, which helps dissolve stress and boosts emotional well-being. Research indicates that awe can reduce inflammation, lower heart rate, and even promote compassion. It’s as if our minds momentarily reboot and remind us that life is vast and full of meaning beyond our daily concerns. Standing beneath a star-filled sky or witnessing a child’s laughter can make us feel small, but not in a diminishing way. Instead, we sense our place in life. That feeling of belonging and connectedness nourishes emotional balance and strengthens our resilience. Encounter awe in everyday moments. You don’t need to climb a mountain or visit a famous landmark to experience awe. It’s waiting in the subtle corners of your day: the way sunlight dances on a wall, the sound of rain tapping on the roof, or how someone’s kindness catches you off guard. Try taking a few minutes each day to slow down and look around. Step outside, watch the clouds, or listen to a piece of music that stirs you. When you allow awe to find you, you begin to reconnect with presence, gratitude, and joy. Awe heals because it reminds us that we’re part of something larger and endlessly unfolding. In moments of difficulty, wonder offers perspective and hope. It grounds us, opens our hearts, and helps us see clearly beyond fear or fatigue. So, pause today. Let a moment of awe find you and allow it to do its quiet, powerful work. The Everyday Magic That Heals Us Finding Awe in the Ordinary
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My wife has a tradition that I’ve grown to love deeply. Every year, she writes down what she calls our “magic moments,” pages of small and extraordinary things our family did, accomplished, shared, or overcame. Trips, school milestones, kindnesses, celebrations, surprises, and even the challenges we navigated together. Then, at the end of the year, we sit down and read them. Every time, I find myself thinking, I had forgotten about that, or I didn’t realize how much we did. Those pages remind us that our life isn’t made of days, but of the moments that catch our breath and change us a little. As we step into a new year, that’s something I hope you’ll hold close. Memories aren’t just what happened; they’re how we choose to remember them. They’re our connection to the people we love, to who we were, and to who we’re becoming. And every day, every single ordinary day, has at least one moment worth keeping.
All it takes is paying attention.
—Bert Parnall
Spiced Apple Chai Mocktail This gently spiced mocktail combines bold chai and sweet apple cider for a comforting, alcohol-free treat.
• 1 chai tea bag • 1 cup apple cider Ingredients
• 1 tsp honey • Ice cubes • Apple slices, for garnish
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
Directions 1. Steep the chai tea bag in 8 oz of hot water for 5 minutes, then let it cool. 2. Combine the tea, apple cider, cinnamon, nutmeg, and honey in a cocktail shaker. 3. Shake well to mix thoroughly. 4. Strain into two glasses and garnish with apple slices.
Inspired by ThirstyTales.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
The Magic Hidden in Ordinary Days
2
Turn Awareness Into Action This Poverty Awareness Month
3
Spiced Apple Chai Mocktail
Healing Through the Eyes of Awe
4
Design a Life You Don’t Need a Break From
The Cure for Burnout Isn’t Always a Vacation We live in a hustle culture, where we’re
breaks, listening to music you enjoy, walking throughout the day, and putting work out of your mind when you leave for the day. When we get caught up in the chaos of everyday life, we often lose sight of what truly matters. Staying present in the moment and focusing on all the good things in life can help turn any sour experience into something sweet. Focus on all your blessings, from your home to your loved ones. Lastly, be sure to practice self-care and make time for the things you enjoy. Spend time with the people you love, participate in your favorite hobbies and activities, take a nature walk, and add elements to your home that inspire happiness.
encouraged to push ourselves to our limits: accomplish everything at work, get the kids ready for school and extracurricular activities, and take care of all of our other needs and responsibilities. These unending demands inevitably lead to burnout, which causes us to feel like we need a vacation. But wouldn’t it be nice if you enjoyed your life so much that you didn’t need to escape? Adjusting your habits, routine, and schedule can make this possible. It starts with your workday. For many Americans, work is the greatest source of stress and burnout in their lives, but it doesn’t have to be. You can change that by adding practices that make your workday more enjoyable. Depending on what your workplace allows, you might try things like taking regular
If you feel like it’s time for a vacation, you may need more than just a change of scenery!
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