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Happy New Year! I wish you a beautiful start to the year on this first new moon of 2026.
As we step into this fresh lunar cycle, there is a profound sense that reclaiming our collective joy is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity. According to the Copernicus Earth Observation Programme of the EU, 2025 ranked 3rd as the warmest year on record globally, right after 2024 and 2023. Meanwhile, ACLED, an independent global monitoring group that tracks conflict and protest, warns us that global conflict is on the rise, with governments and armed groups using violence against civilians and increasingly diverging from humanitarian norms. In the US, according to Pew, 85% of Americans say that politically motivated violence is increasing and blame the opposite political party for extremism. We are living in a world that feels alarming and unstable at times, and increasingly divided. Leaning into connection and a shared celebration of community must therefore become a necessary act of resilience for us. Now, more than ever, we are called to prioritize the moments that make us feel alive, to be mindful that Life is a blessing, and to amplify that light for one another. Let us move beyond just "getting through this" and instead plan out how we can flourish together, finding strength in our interconnectedness.
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Dekila Chungyalpa
Director, the Loka Initiative at the Center for Healthy Minds
University of Wisconsin–Madison
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LOKA INITIATIVE NEWS AND UPDATES
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We paused to reflect, refine, and evolve. Now, the updated Psychology of Deep Resilience course is officially live! We’ve expanded our curriculum with five new contemplative exercises to help you build a lasting foundation of inner, community, and planetary resilience.
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What's Bringing the Loka Team Joy This Season?
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Now more than ever, we must consciously commit to prioritizing our sources of joy and celebrating what brings hope and wonder into our lives! Here is what some of our wonderful team highlighted to start off the new year.
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Dekila with Gery Paredes Vàsquez, Libby Tucci, and Richie Morales!
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The show is up until February 21st - I encourage community members to go if they need inspiration, just like I did, “to seek beauty in imperfection, to find strength in vulnerability, and to build a more just and compassionate world!”
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Genuinely, winter! I love watching snow fall, the coziness and slowing down it invites, and I am excited for temperatures to drop down so I can walk on frozen lakes here in Madison, WI. I have also been really enjoying playing the board game “Wingspan” with all my friends. If you love birds and bird facts, I would highly recommend it to all of you; it is a delightful respite, and wonderful bit of play during these short, cold days.
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Recently, I won the 2026 Key West Literary Seminar Emerging Writer Award for novel-in-progress. I just returned from a fully funded trip to Key West, where I did a reading at the seminar. It brought me immense hope to be among so many dedicated readers and writers, at such an incredible celebration of the humanities. The arts will live forever :-)
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I was able to visit my parents who live by the ocean this month; being able to ground myself in daily walks there has given me so much peace and has recharged me for the work to be done.
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I’ve been dedicating some intentional creative time to a daily origami exercise. I’ve been using foil squares, which has proven to be much more challenging than paper! I’ve also recently started dance sessions after years away from that world; they’ve reminded me how much I love the feeling of movement and how much I truly appreciate music. As always, I find so much joy in making time for loved ones—whether it’s sending voice notes to my friends and cousins, cooking and sharing meals with my mom, browsing used books with my husband, or going thrifting with my sister!
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Through the winter’s harshness, I’ve found warmth in connection. Alongside time spent with family and friends during the holidays, my work has given me the opportunity to engage with many people. Bringing joy to others brings joy back to me, and witnessing that light leaves me hopeful for our community.
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Right now, I’m finding joy in slowing down and reconnecting with people I haven’t been able to spend much time with during my typically busy schedule. I’ve been especially grateful to have meaningful conversations with people who fuel my creativity and inspire me as I leave CHM and take the next step in my academic career!
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Share Updates & Stay Connected!
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Hashtags: #LokaInitiative #Loka🌎
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Loka is an interdisciplinary collaboration among different programs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. It is housed in the Center for Healthy Minds in collaboration with:
The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s and don’t reflect the opinions or beliefs of
UW-Madison, the Center for Healthy Minds or their affiliates.
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