The new year always brings a spark of renewed energy — fresh ideas, fresh goals, and fresh possibilities. And yet… here we are in the middle of that classic gloomy Wisconsin stretch. The weather feels heavy, the days are short, and everything just seems to move a little slower.
For us at Mosaic, January is often a quieter time for events. It’s a moment to pause, look ahead, and think about how we can best serve and nourish our community in the months to come. But I’ll be honest — planning for the future when the weather makes you want to curl up and nap is a challenge!
This Sunday, January 11th, we’re hosting our very first Israeli-inspired brunch, something we hope to continue monthly. I’m excited — truly — because these types of gatherings are what I love most about the work we do. But at the same time, I also struggle with being the one “front and center.”
People often don’t realize this about me: I’m happiest in the background, letting the food, the details, and my amazing staff shine. That’s my comfort zone.
But this January date has been tricky. So many of us don’t think about planning January until we’re well into January. And in our post-COVID world, people’s planning habits have changed so much. We got used to not making commitments far in advance — because for a while, we couldn’t. It’s fascinating how such a short period of time reshaped our behavior so deeply.
And now, even though life is back to “normal,” planning ahead still feels harder. Committing to events feels harder. Socializing, for many, feels harder. We got used to being home, and there’s comfort in that.
Even I, as extroverted as I am, learned during that time how much I appreciate a quiet night in.
So when it comes to promoting these brunches, I’m pushing myself outside my comfort zone — recording videos, talking on camera, sharing more personally. If I let myself, I could re-record twenty times, overthinking angles and lighting and my voice. But I’m trying to let go of perfection and just… show up.
The same goes for these blog posts. I often hit “publish” and assume no one will read it. And then, someone stops me at the café or sends an email saying it resonated, and I’m reminded that writing is another way I get to connect with people — quietly, but meaningfully.
So even if it’s dreary outside, I know our community hall will be warm, lively, and filled with delicious food this Sunday. If you can make it, I’d love to welcome you. And if this month doesn’t work, please share it with someone else who might enjoy it — or come next month!
Wishing you warmth, comfort, and connection as we step into this new year.
See you soon. 
