Be Challenged

Publisher’s Letter From Your Fearless Leader


“Change does not change tradition. It strengthens it. Change is a challenge and an opportunity, not a threat.”

Prince Philip of England


What a wild ride we have taken on the rollercoaster of life in the last few months. In August, we were getting “Back To” life. September was our “Change” issue, which rolled into October with our “Creativity” issue. We decided to get creative with our branding and we revamped our focus to #bebetterbebella, to start where we are and to find our voices. We are telling our truth. We are honoring the process by accepting where we are at and identifying what needs to change so we can be better. We are expanding.

Now we enter November with our “Tradition” issue. Tradition is not what it used to be. We are building on the stepping stones of our traditions and we are innovating. We are taking our creativity and backing it with tradition to make our innovation lasting and to pave our path for the future.

“Without tradition, art is a flock of sheep without a shepherd. Without innovation, it is a corpse.”

– Winston Churchill

The challenge this month, while we learn to survive and thrive during a pandemic, is to remember where we come from without reverting to what no longer serves us. As caring members of a family, a church, an organization, or a community, we can be respectful of the traditions that came before the year 2020, and we can incorporate the growth and change and innovation we had to undergo to survive. We are a living part of a paradigm shift happening before our eyes. We must embrace it while also embracing loved ones who may not wish to venture into a non-traditional future.

My pathway remains uncertain. Challenges greet me at every turn. Am I afraid? No. Do I want to seek the comfort of what I have always known? Yes. But I have been blessed beyond measure with the amazing people who come into my life on a daily basis. I pray, each time someone is put in my life, that we may help each other, that our efforts may be synergistic, and that we will be better together. God answers prayers.

Rick Osbon, Mayor of the City of Aiken, sat down with me to about his new column in Bella and about what excites him about being Mayor. He shares similar prayers to mine — he prays every morning for God to put the people in front of him that he can help that day. If you do not know the Mayor of Aiken very well, his column is sure to be an insight into this amazing man and his passion for Aiken and its people.

John Toli takes another break from horse nutrition this month with the second installment of Horsemanship vs. Humanship. He shares with us that you can only move toward something, not away. This struck me in kind of a profound way. With the ability to pave our own pathways, what are we moving toward? John encourages us to be positive, think positive, and visualize positive!

“Whether or not we follow any particular spiritual tradition, the benefits of love and kindness are obvious to anyone.” 

– Dalai Lama

With the new path I venture down, I look forward to new traditions to be adopted, new places to go for the holidays, and new people to celebrate these precious moments with. Aiken will forever be my home, my anchor, my community. Palmetto State, I am excited to explore what you have to offer and even more excited to share with the community the amazing culture, cuisine, and people of the South.

Picture of Ladonna Armstrong

Ladonna Armstrong

Publisher of Aiken Bella Magazine.
Picture of Ladonna Armstrong

Ladonna Armstrong

Publisher of Aiken Bella Magazine.

In the know

Related Stories

Be Humbled | Palmetto Bella

Be Humbled

Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. ~ Saint Augustine Happy New Year! Never been one for resolutions. It always felt like I was setting myself up for disappointment by trying to find something worthy enough to make a definitive claim on this great big thing I was going to change or do differently in the coming year. Something impressive enough that I would tell everyone to ensure accountability. Romantic enough that others would be wowed and inspired to make mesmerizing resolutions as well. I would stand on this victorious mountain of ideals, shout

Read More »
celebration

Be Present

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these. – George Washington Carver The Celebration Issue! To tell you the truth, the final issue of 2020 is quite the celebration here at Bella. We made it through the year with innovation, collaboration, expansion, and a positive outlook on the horizon. We were blessed with the continuing support of advertisers and contributors who not only kept our Bella in print but allowed us to spread our mission wider and

Read More »
Creating Resilience in Time of Chaos | Palmetto Bella

Creating Resilience in Time of Chaos

It’s no secret that nine months of a world-wide pandemic has changed our lives in many ways. Perhaps, for the first time, we are working from home, limiting our social contact, eating out less or not at all, watching church services on TV, and canceling theater or art outings. And, in the silence, how have we personally changed? Perhaps some of us have embraced the downtime to rethink our priorities and negotiate what is really important to us. But could it be that we each have a creative gear that we have not used before? Perhaps unaware, during the past few months, have we been building more emotional strength than

Read More »
Finding Peace and Harmony on the Labyrinth | Palmetto Bella

Finding Peace and Harmony on the Labyrinth

The labyrinth is viewed as a metaphor for life’s journey, offering lessons as we walk the path. Walking the labyrinth can assist us in addressing challenges, meditating, praying, and finding peace and serenity. Your life is a sacred journey. It is about change, growth, discovery, movement, and transformation. A simple ten or fifteen minute meditation/walk will help you create a heightened awareness of the human condition and aid in psychological and spiritual growth. We are all on the path exactly where we need to be. There are no tricks to it and no dead ends. The path winds throughout and becomes a mirror for where we are in our lives;

Read More »