From My Desk

1-7-2026

By Lauren Royce, Editor
I have another resolution: to get back into doing more of these From My Desk things. Resolutions can be big or small, related to anything. So I guess in the category of “work resolutions,” I will start here. I resolve to use this column as a good writing exercise and a practice in inviting more engagement. I resolve to try and say something intelligent, and remember how to write for fun even if it’s in small amounts.
I would like to ask you all, dear readers: How often do you find yourselves giving compliments just because you can and want to? I just got one the other day that lifted me up. It did wonders for my mood, which had been largely pessimistic and glum after surviving two weeks back-to-back of holiday deadlines. How glad I am to say that I have a much better idea on how to strategise next time the month of December rolls around.
I was telling a friend, still in college, that most of the friends I made on campus came to be because of me deciding to voice what I was thinking about their accessories. A toucan-patterned backpack, a pair of funny patterned socks. If I hadn’t said anything to these people, they’d never know I was admiring them. Everybody deserves to feel admired sometimes.
My grandmother was just telling me how excited she was to go out to the grocery store and the Verizon store, after being cooped up in the house for a week. She raved about the kindness of the worker who helped fix her technical issues. She noted how the grocery wasn’t too busy, a calm after the Christmas frenzy. I told her I was so glad she got out to have some social interaction, because it’s easy to get starved of it especially where we are. Tell that stranger in the grocery store whose outfit you are admiring that you like it. Ask that person in front of you at the post office where they bought their fun keychain at. Where else can we find community?