Finding Balance in the New Year—In Our Homes, and in Our Headlines

To help start the new year, I’m sharing a piece by my friend Ellen Schneider, who has taught the principles of feng shui for more than three decades. Whether we’re dealing with a chaotic world or simply a house full of clutter, there always seems to be a feng shui principle that speaks directly to the moment.

I was first introduced to feng shui when I worked in commercial interiors, where Ellen and I met many years ago, in what feels like another lifetime. While I was initially skeptical, I’ve come to appreciate the wisdom developed by the Chinese people over thousands of years of observing the natural world—and the energy created by our actions within it.

Done right, these principles, as I think of them, have a way of creating calm out of chaos. And as Ellen often reminds us, feng shui is not about perfection. It’s about balance.

That idea feels especially relevant to the work we do here. When GMT moved into its role as a community newspaper in 2025, adopting a stronger journalistic format alongside the storytelling we were already known for—our focus on people, culture, and events—we entered new territory, both for ourselves and for our readers.

Almost immediately, we were called upon to cover fires and floods. And everything that followed: recovery efforts, the flow of relief funds, the challenges faced by families and businesses, and the long road ahead. That kind of coverage is essential. It’s part of our responsibility to ask hard questions and shine a light where it’s needed.

But a community newspaper also has another obligation—to reflect what sustains us. To balance the hard news with stories that move us forward and remind us who we are. The people. The culture. The moments of connection and celebration that make this place home.

That balance is, in its own way, a form of service. And this week, as we gather to celebrate Tom Foster Day at Bullion Plaza Museum, raising funds and honoring a legacy rooted in preservation, curiosity, and care for this community, we’re reminded that telling the full story—both the difficult and the uplifting—is how we help keep the energy of this place moving forward.