A New Beginning : Welcome to RISE
There’s something so special about new beginnings. They ask us to pause, reflect, and remember why we started in the first place. As I sit here today, watching RISE Magazine come to life, our rebrand from Stories of Perseverance my heart is full.
When we first started this magazine, we never imagined the way it would grow or how deeply it would touch people’s hearts. What began as a simple dream to share stories of strength and hope has turned into something far greater a movement rooted in community, inclusion and connection. We’ve evolved, just like the people we feature, and this rebrand to RISE feels like the most natural next chapter.
RISE stands for Resilience,
Inspiration, Success, and Empowerment four words that hold the heartbeat of everything we believe in. It’s a magazine, yes, but it’s also a reminder. A reminder that no matter what we face, we can always rise. That faith and perseverance go hand in hand. That kindness and community are what hold us together.
The Meaning of RISE
When I look at the word RISE, I think of all the people I’ve met who embody it. The single mother working two jobs but still finding time to tuck her kids in at night. The local business owner who started with nothing but a dream and now gives back to others. The young girl who was told she’d never make it and did.
That’s what RISE represents. Not perfection, not privilege but real people. Real people who keep going, who hold onto faith when it’s hard, and who lift others as they climb.
For me, this rebrand isn’t about changing who we are. It’s about stepping more fully into what we’ve always been. Stories of Perseverance will always be a part of our roots the foundation that taught us how powerful sharing our experiences and knowledge can be. But RISE is about expansion. It’s about growth, hope, and lighting up every corner of our city with purpose.
December has always been my favorite month. Christmas has my heart. Maybe it’s because it feels like a deep breath before the new
Holiday Magic: Creative Gifts, Joyful Moments, and Sensory-Smart Celebrations
By Rae Indigo
The holiday season sparkles with lights, laughter, and love, but for some families, it can also bring unique considerations. Overstimulation from crowds, noise, and bright decorations might turn festive cheer into overwhelming moments for children with extra sensitivities. Yet, with a bit of creativity and planning, holidays can be a time of pure joy, tailored to every child’s comfort. This special edition article is dedicated to parents and kids alike, offering ideas for thoughtful gifts, heartwarming activities, and strategies to keep things calm and magical. Whether your child thrives in quieter settings, benefits from adaptive tools, or simply enjoys a gentler pace, we’ll explore ways to celebrate inclusively. Let’s dive in and make this season one to remember, for all the right reasons.
Creative Gifts That Spark Joy Without the Overwhelm
Gift-giving is at the heart of the holidays, but choosing presents for children requires thoughtfulness, especially when considering varying sensitivities and needs. The key is to focus on items that engage without overwhelming, promoting creativity, independence, and fun. Avoid toys that mainly stimulate, with flashing lights, loud sounds, or complex instructions that could frustrate or heighten sensory input. Instead, opt for gentle, adaptable options that align with your child’s interests and comfort level, things that bring our their creativity and playfulness.
Start with adaptive art supplies. For children who might appreciate easier-to-grip tools,
consider chunky crayons, nomess paint sets, or magnetic drawing boards. Brands like Crayola offer mess-free markers that only color on special paper, reducing cleanup stress. A personalized art kit could include washable finger paints in soft, muted colors, think pastels over neons, to encourage expression in a soothing way. Pair it with a sturdy easel that adjusts to different heights for easy access.
For kids who enjoy tactile experiences, sensory bins make fantastic gifts. Fill a shallow container with soft materials like kinetic sand, rice, or foam beads, adding hidden treasures such as small figurines or textured balls. These can be themed around holidays: a winter wonderland bin with fake snow (made from shredded coconut or baking soda) and mini pine trees.
Rituals to Rekindle Your Light
This season, I invite you to create small rituals that help you protect your energy and bring your light back home to yourself.
Reflect, Don’t Review
Instead of measuring what you accomplished, reflect on what felt meaningful. What moments made you laugh? When did you feel most at peace? Let those memories guide you forward more than any to-do list ever could.
Choose Warmth Over Perfection
You don’t need every detail to be flawless for the holidays to be beautiful. The glow of connection, a genuine smile, or a shared story will always shine brighter than the most polished table setting.
Release the Year with Intention
Sometime before the new year, light a candle and write
down what you’re ready to release: the guilt, the pressure, the comparison. Then let it go. You can tear it, burn it safely, or simply fold it and put it away. A symbolic release helps your body and nervous system feel safe to reset.
Carry One Small Spark Forward
Instead of a list of resolutions, choose one gentle intention for yourself. Something that nourishes rather than demands. Maybe it’s, “I will listen to what my body needs.” Or, “I will stop apologizing for resting.” Let that be your light into the new year.
The Hormone Connection
When we live under constant pressure, even subtle emotional pressure, cortisol stays elevated. Over time, this can disrupt blood sugar, sleep, and even estrogen balance.
Grace, on the other hand, brings the body back into balance. When you breathe deeply, rest
About the Author
intentionally, or choose selfcompassion over guilt, your nervous system calms, your heart rate steadies, and your hormones respond in kind.
This isn’t just emotional work. It’s physiological healing.
Light That Lasts
Your light doesn’t come from how much you do. It comes from how much you honor yourself in the process.
This December, give yourself permission to slow down, to receive, to be cared for, and to reflect with softness instead of scrutiny.
You’ve spent the year showing up for your family, your friends, your work, and your community. Now it’s time to show up for yourself.
Your light doesn’t need to be brighter. It just needs to be yours.
Jessica Waugh is a Certified Menopause Specialist and National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach with over half a decade of experience helping women navigate the complexities of perimenopause.
As the Founder and CEO of JWaugh Wellness and Co-Founder of the Menopause Fair Las Vegas, Jessica’s mission is deeply personal, rooted in her own experience with very early-onset perimenopause and the lack of support she faced. She specializes in helping women rewire the habits that hijack their hormones, empowering them to become the woman they were always meant to be so they can make the impact they are destined to make.
Through the Pause Collective, Pause Events, and 1:1 sessions, Jessica creates safe, supportive spaces where women can connect, share, and thrive. With a unique blend of root-cause science, compassion, and actionable strategies, she helps women embrace this transformative phase with clarity, strength, and unwavering confidence.
If your dog won’t tolerate booties, you can go with an alternative method which is to apply a thin layer of pet safe paw balm or wax before walks. Which will create a protective barrier to help prevent snow & ice balls from forming between their toes. Post walk care is after every walk, use a warm damp cloth or a paw washer to clean & remove any lingering salt, chemicals, or ice paying close attention to the spaces between your dog’s toes. Thoroughly towel dry their paws & between the paw pads preventing the moisture from leading to cracked skin & or infection. Be sure to do your routine inspection for injuries, cracks, cuts, or signs of irritation. If the paws are particularly irritated a short soak in lukewarm water before a thorough drying can help ease discomfort. If your dog’s paws are free from irritation the final step is to moisturize their paws with another thin layer of paw balm or wax to soothe any dryness & to fix or prevent cracks. Following these steps you can help ensure your dog’s paws remain comfortable & healthy throughout the winter season. The next thing we are going to discuss is how to protect your dog’s skin during the winter. You will want to start by limiting their baths to once a month as too frequent washing can strip your pup of natural oils. Avoid using human shampoos that will dry out their skin & aim for a pet safe moisturizing shampoo & conditioner. After a bath, always be sure to thoroughly dry your dog. Now let’s discuss how to protect your dog’s coat during the winter time which does go hand-in-hand with their skin health. Keeping their skin moisturized & coat clean is the first step but trimming their fur strategically around the belly to prevent snow and ice from building up. Avoid shaving any double coated breeds as their fur is essential for insulation. Brushing regularly removes dirt, loose hair, prevents mats & distributes natural oils that keep the skin and coat moisturized. Now if your dog is a short haired breed or sensitive to the cold, can provide a jacket or sweater to help protect them from cold temperatures. Make sure your dog’s undercoat is completely dry after they come in from the cold and wet to prevent skin & coat issues. Additional tips I have is to ensure proper hydration, keeping your dog well hydrated is crucial for healthy skin & a glossy coat. Support their nutrition, feed your dog a highquality balanced diet & consider adding supplements like fish oil or other omega -3s to support a healthy coat from the inside out. As for your home environment, use a humidifier. Indoor heating can dry out the air as the humidifier adds moisture back into the air, helping your dog’s skin stay supple. Follow all these tips & tricks throughout the winter season and your furry best friend will absolutely love you for it. No matter the season our dogs make us feel loved & warm & now you’ll be able to return the favor all year round.
