from the editor ex • tol
/ ik ’ stol /
To praise enthusiastically .
synonyms : enthuse about , acclaim , celebrate .
* In October 2016 , Neace Ventures acquired the majority shares of Extol Magazine LLC , which allowed our company to grow in ways that wouldn ’ t previously have been possible and we are forever grateful . But , as of October 2017 , my husband , Jason Applegate , and I became the sole owners of Extol Magazine LLC .
IN MARCH 2017 , I received an invitation from New Albany Mayor Jeff Gahan to speak at the 49th annual Mayor ’ s Community Prayer Breakfast in November . Humbled and honored , I gladly accepted the opportunity to be a part of this special tradition that has a mission of uniting “ citizens of all ages and faiths to celebrate the diversity within God ’ s family and to give thanks for the blessings of our community and its people .”
But in the weeks leading up to the breakfast , I began to feel an anxiety-filled fog slowly start to descend . How was I going to deliver a message for a breakfast with the theme “ hope and gratitude ” in a world increasingly filled with chaos and turmoil ? What would my words matter ?
Turning on the TV or talk radio had become an exercise in futility . The lead stories were almost always about heart-breaking violence , terrorism , natural disasters , war , political discord , divisiveness and the most awful aspects of humanity .
Logging onto social media had become disheartening . Instead of serving as a tool to connect with others , newsfeeds had been overtaken by angry political posts and rants , mostly – so it seemed – by people more eager to air their grievances than do something about them and help others .
Despite my usually-positive outlook even amid tough times , everywhere I looked , I only saw messages of hopelessness , and I let them get to me . What kind of world had I brought my daughter into , I worried . Life was becoming overwhelming and bleak as I waited for the next tragedy . The all-consuming negativity pervaded my thoughts and started to affect how I treated others and myself . And I saw others who felt the same .
When I had the opportunity to take part in a weekend girls trip to French Lick with several women from Neace Ventures , Extol Magazine ’ s former * parent company , I almost canceled and came up with a mental list of excuses . Thankfully , I also realized a few days away from my family – which is one of my usually-constant sources of happiness – could also mean stepping away from other things , too . So , I went with a mission in mind .
For three days and two nights , I refrained from logging onto social media , watching or reading the news , checking email or using my cell phone ( except for a daily text or brief call to check on my daughter , husband and our furry ones ). I enjoyed socializing with the wonderful women on the trip while also going through a “ negativity detox .”
Instead of checking my Twitter or Facebook feeds or turning on the news upon waking , I walked the gorgeous grounds of West Baden and watched the sunrise , thankful for the beauty and simplicity . I made new friends and caught up with old ones . Other than a delicious meal at 1875 : The Steakhouse , I only consumed healthy food and beverages ( my a . m . coffee aside ). I slept soundly at night and arose early each morning to workout , spend time meditating and in prayer on the veranda and wander without a destination or deadline .
Emerging from the weekend – and that ’ s really what it felt like , emerging – I once again was able to embrace what I ’ ve always believed but had allowed myself to forget : There is far more good – and there are far more good people – in the world than what we so often see . We are living in trying times , but they are not hopeless times . And that ’ s the message I shared at the community breakfast . We are living in trying times , but they are not hopeless times . It is important to be informed , but it ’ s also imperative to acknowledge the tremendous good and positivity occurring – because it is . Sometimes , you have to search for it , but it ’ s there and in abundance , on the news , via social media and , especially , in our communities and neighborhood . There also is much to be grateful for and many opportunities to help others feel like they matter .
Taking care of ourselves , too , should be valued , and I ’ m not just talking about eating right and making time to exercise and get sleep .
Like many of you , I have too many obligations and not enough time or financial resources to regularly check out for a weekend . But , I have begun waking up before anyone else to focus on what and who makes me happy , what I ’ m grateful for and what I can do to help someone else that day . Those brief moments are mine , and I cherish them . I still turn on the news – I need to know what ’ s going on in the world , near and far – but I turn it off when I start to feel anxious or overwhelmed and replace it with silence or one of my many Spotify playlists .
I ’ m involved in several charitable and community endeavors I ’ m passionate about , but I can ’ t possibly be involved in everything . Sometimes , saying “ no ” is necessary , and I have made a commitment to doing everything I can to prevent myself from feeling guilty when I do say “ no ,” and I won ’ t let others shame me into attending an event or taking up a cause .
After the trip , I also vowed to make it a point to get together with friends and family regularly , even if I have what feels like a million things on my to-do list . Those times – those people – are precious .
Nothing is perfect , but I am taking these lessons to heart . The many people and organizations featured in this issue also embody that spirit . As we head into 2018 , may you find ways to remain hopeful , grateful and make others feel like they matter , yourself included .
Thank you for taking the time to pick up Extol in print and online at ExtolMag . com . we are grateful for your support .
Yours truly ,
Angie Fenton Editor in Chief
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