As the year comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting, both personally and professionally, on the conversations I have every day with patients and clients.

So often, people come to me carrying what they label as negative emotions.

Fear of developing the chronic diseases that run in their families, or of what abnormal lab results might mean for their long-term health.

Frustration or anger after years of trying to “do the right things” and still feeling stuck.

Sadness or hopelessness believing they’ve tried everything and wondering if change is even possible anymore.

On the surface, these emotions feel heavy. Uncomfortable. Something to avoid or fix. But over time, I have come to see them differently and actually appreciate them.

These emotions are not one-dimensional and they don’t come from a place of weakness. They come from a place of meaning.

Fear tells us that our health, our longevity, our ability to be present for the people we love deeply matters to us. Frustration and anger signal a desire for agency, to take ownership of your life and not feel powerless in it. Sadness often shows up when something matters so much that repeated disappointment has worn you down.

These feelings do not mean that something is wrong with you. They are evidence that you care.

Anything that truly matters...your health, your family, your purpose...will bring the full spectrum of emotion with it. And that complexity can feel very uncomfortable at times. But when we pause and ask why we feel the way we do, those emotions can actually offer clarity.

They tell us:
• what’s important
• where our values live
• what’s worth continuing to pursue

Seen through that lens, emotion becomes information, not an obstacle.

This reframing can be incredibly powerful. When you realize that fear or sadness is highlighting something meaningful, it can actually strengthen your resolve. It can confirm that you are on the right path...pursuing the right goal, caring deeply about the right things, even when the process feels messy or slow.

State of mind matters. Perspective matters.

Whether you’re working toward better health, sustainable weight loss, or simply trying to show up as a calmer, more present parent, clarity makes persistence easier.

As I reflect on this past year...the challenges, the uncertainty, the moments that stretched me both as a physician and as a mom...I find that reframing those difficult emotions gives me strength and hope as I look ahead to the new year.

And this is where I find meaning in the concept of the Enso. In Buddhist tradition, the Enso is a hand-drawn circle that represents wholeness, enlightenment, and the understanding that we are all works in progress. The circle is intentionally imperfect. It reflects the moment it was drawn, the state of the person drawing it, and the path they are on. There is no “right” Enso, only your own unique Enso.

In many ways, our emotions function the same way. They reflect back to us who we are, what we value, and where we are growing. When we allow ourselves to see them clearly, without judgment, they can help us gain deeper clarity into ourselves and guide us forward.

Not toward perfection.
But toward progress.
Toward wholeness.
Toward realizing our fullest potential.

My hope is that as this year closes, you offer yourself the same compassion and curiosity you would offer someone you love and allow the next chapter to unfold with intention.

With warm wishes for the holiday season and New Year ahead,

Solmaz