A study done in the mid-1990’s assessed the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences in about 17,000 patients, and then assessed the presence of negative physical outcomes.  The research discovered “a direct link between childhood trauma and adult onset of chronic disease, incarceration, and employment challenges.”

I know, this is South Dakota, and we have generally done our best to look away from COVID and its impact.  But since it is the beginning of a new year, it is worth putting COVID in perspective, particularly from a psychological point of view.

Last week my colleague and mentor Dr. Douglas Anderson shared the following thoughts about entering 2023, “I encourage you to allow for the messiness of life, recognize the mystery of human existence alongside all that we discover through the sciences, and tolerate or even applaud a bit more mediocrity in your life and in the lives around you.”

Here we go.  Somehow we have survived 2022 with all of its challenges, and 2023 stands before us as a new year with new challenges, new opportunities, and new adventures. Hopefully, you have not only survived 2022, but have grown a bit, discovered some new things about yourself, found your way into stronger relationships, and had some meaningful experiences and fun adventures along the way.