ron stempkowski

The Year I Finally Say It Out Loud

Posted on January 1, 2026January 2, 2026 by Ron Stempkowski

When I woke up on New Year’s Day 2026, the first words* out of my mouth were, “This is the year my book comes out.” (*I did say good morning to Hudson first. Priorities.) Still, saying it out lo... Read More

The Promise I Made Before He Died–and Why I’m Still Keeping It

Posted on January 4, 2026January 8, 2026 by Ron Stempkowski

My upcoming book exists because of a promise. Ken was full of kindness, grace, and humor. So much so that even our hospice experience together held moments of joy. Not because it was easy. It wasn’t... Read More

Reflecting on 2025 with my New Year’s Eve Ritual

Posted on December 31, 2025January 8, 2026 by Ron Stempkowski

It’s my fourth year, sitting with a stack of envelopes packed with selected memories from the past year since starting the practice for 2022. It’s the perfect way to slow down, stay in the... Read More

The Quiet Gift of a Christmas Day Walk

Posted on December 25, 2025December 25, 2025 by Ron Stempkowski

Christmas Day walks with Hudson have a different kind of quiet to them. The streets are empty. The world feels paused. No rush, no noise, no expectations. Just cold air, steady footsteps, and a very g... Read More

Something Big Is Coming in 2026

Posted on December 22, 2025December 25, 2025 by Ron Stempkowski

I’ve been working quietly toward something for a long time now. Longer than most people realize. 2026 is shaping up to be a year of intention, creativity, and a big chapter finally stepping into the... Read More

The Quiet Gift of Being Seen

Posted on December 18, 2025December 18, 2025 by Ron Stempkowski

While I was outside with Hudson yesterday, one of my neighbors was out with her dog, Ripley. Hudson and Ripley like to “talk” and play without regard for the fence between them. As I turne... Read More

The Gift of Unplugging

Posted on December 17, 2025December 18, 2025 by Ron Stempkowski

The holidays can be loud. Not always in the obvious ways. Sometimes it’s the noise of schedules and obligations and travel plans and inboxes that refuse to quiet down just because the calendar says ... Read More

Permission to Pause

Posted on December 16, 2025December 16, 2025 by Ron Stempkowski

Here’s the thing about the holidays that no one really says out loud. They give us permission to pause. Not the kind of pause that comes from burnout or hitting a wall. The gentler kind. The intenti... Read More

Resilience Isn’t a Personality Trait. It’s a Practice.

Posted on December 11, 2025December 11, 2025 by Ron Stempkowski

People talk about resilience like it’s some inner superpower you either have or you don’t. I’ve never bought that. Most of the changes that shaped me didn’t arrive with a cape. They showed up ... Read More

Celebrating 15 Years of Showing Up

Posted on December 7, 2025December 7, 2025 by Ron Stempkowski

Fifteen years. I had to sit with that number for a minute. I started this blog in a very different version of my life, long before I knew how much the words would hold, or how many times they’d help... Read More

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