Crestwood Employee Center


Shinki-itten: A Fresh Start

The new year often marks the beginning of a new chapter of our lives. As we waited in great anticipation for the inaugural countdown on December 31, the sound of confetti popping and “Happy New Year!” cheers became the alarm clock that transitioned us all into the dawn of a new day and a fresh start for our lives.

Each new year leads to new goals, new milestones, and even new life lessons. As we enter into 2025 with a clean slate, the year is blossoming with new possibility, also known as Shinki-itten. Shinki-itten is a Japanese saying that is defined as a “fresh start; new beginnings; turning over a new leaf.” The phrase combines the words “heart,” “mind,” “opportunity,” and “transformation,” representing a mindset that empowers us to begin again. By adopting a Shinki-itten mentality, we can embrace 2025 with increased hope for our new year resolutions, greater commitment to our professional aspirations, and deeper compassion for the people we serve.

As we are empowered to embark on another 365-day journey, Shinki-itten offers an invitation to try new hobbies, create new habits, and pursue new goals that lead to greater personal growth and transformation. At Crestwood, we honor each person’s journey and encourage personal growth and empowerment. How do you plan to embrace the new year? During this fresh start, what new year resolutions are you excited about?

 
January is Mental Wellness Month

What better time to reflect on your mental wellbeing than at the beginning of a new year? It’s the perfect opportunity to take inventory of your wellness toolbox, and maybe add something new to your routine. The following are a few ideas to get you started:

 

  • Take a walk outside: Did you know that looking at trees can decrease feelings of depression and anxiety? Getting out in the fresh air is a great way to reset after a taxing day. And getting some exercise will also release endorphins, putting you in a better mood.
  • Make a cup of tea: There are many types of tea that are good for relaxing at the end of the day, like chamomile. The ritual of making a cup of tea causes us to slow down and focus on the present moment. While your tea is steeping, take a few minutes to breathe in some deep, cleansing breaths. Release any tension and relax as you sip in the warmth.
  • Call a friend or meet up for lunch: Whether you can meet in-person or catch up over a phone call, make the time to connect and share how you’re really doing. Having a quality conversation with a friend is good for lifting both of your spirits. A little encouraging word can go a long way!
  • Spend time with your pets: Four-legged friends, and those with fins and feathers, are wonderful companions that also reduce stress. Spend a little extra time in the company of your beloved pets and feel your worries slip away.
  • Nurture your favorite hobby: Making time for a creative outlet is essential to mental wellbeing. Whether you enjoy taking photos of landscapes, painting, camping, making greeting cards, gardening, playing or watching a sport, writing song lyrics, or collecting something, take time to enjoy what you love.

 
Imagination and the Art of Becoming

The National Day of Imagination was founded on January 19 to celebrate the creativity and immeasurable potential of the human mind. As the new year begins, January 19 is a fun reminder to explore the playground of our mind and honor the role that imagination plays in nurturing our personal aspirations and creative thinking.

Our imagination animates our thoughts and “serves as a mental canvas for innovative ideas, propelling us beyond conventional limits.”1 Like a camera lens, imagination brings our dreams, ideas, and ambitions into focus, providing vivid snapshots of our unlimited potential. Through day dreaming, sketching, creative writing, mindfulness exercises, and more, our imagination can help us picture our ideal selves and inspire us to pursue personal growth with zeal. Heavy Weight Boxing Champion, Muhammad Ali once said, “The man who has no imagination has no wings.” Ali understood the power of imagination and how it inspires our reality and influences what we believe is possible for ourselves. He knew that with imagination, we can use what we visualize as motivation for what is feasible and transform our ambitions into achievements.2

Embracing our imaginative potential positively influences our self-perception and helps us hold hope for the future as we take steps toward becoming our best selves. As we let the power of imagination work in our lives, we can envision ourselves leading new Organizational Wellness Landscape (OWL) initiatives, embodying greater resilience, or successfully adopting our Wellness Recovery Action Plans. So, if you enjoy making vision boards or find yourself day dreaming about the next season of your life, continue to embark on imaginative journeys and let them inspire your legacy, because as American Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat suggested, “It’s not who you are that holds you back, it is who you think you’re not.”

 
2025 Calendar Now Available

The 2025 Calendar is now available on the Employee Center. Please reference the Calendar when looking for training and meeting dates. The schedule of events includes Foundational Tool Zooms, Campus Leadership check-in Meetings, Trainings, and Campus Director and Administrator Meetings.

To access the Calendar from the Employee Center homepage menu, select Crestwood > Training Calendar > 2025. As changes occur throughout the year, the Calendar is updated and uploaded to the Employee Center for reference.

 

Mindfulness Meditation: Choosing Your Word of the Year

Have you ever chosen a word of the year? A word of the year is like a theme or mantra for the year ahead. It’s a foundation to come back to again and again, reminding you of your priorities, hopes, and dreams. Below are a few examples to get you thinking:

  • Maybe this coming year you want to find more reasons to smile. You want more laughter and light in your life. You want to find abiding joy, even on the hard days. You want to center your focus on finding happy moments sprinkled throughout the week. Your word of the year might be… DELIGHT!
  • Perhaps you desire to be more intentional in cultivating relationships next year. You want to spend less time on social media and more time with friends and family in real life. You want to plan fun outings and make some wonderful memories. Your word of the year might be… CONNECTION!
  • Next year, maybe you want to get out of your house more and explore some new places. Maybe planning some fun weekend getaways, like a camping trip, a stay at a bed and breakfast, or a trip to the beach, is just what you need. Your word of the year might be… VENTURE!

A word of the year is thoughtful, intentional, and reflects your goals and aspirations in a meaningful way. Set aside some quiet time to ponder what you desire for 2025. What will your word of the year be?

 
Notable Days in January

January 1: New Year’s Day
January 19: National Imagination Day
January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 20: Inauguration Day
January 29: Lunar New Year
 

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