The entrance hall alone makes the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City a worthwhile visit.

With its soaring ceilings and marble floors, Kirkwood Hall is a work of architectural grandeur. Stately Corinthian columns topped with gilded acanthus crowns line the room. Tapestries depicting scenes from Greek mythology by Flemish artist Jan Leyniers adorn the limestone walls. 

Through these shifting times, it remains good to consider and seek out qualities that support and nurture connection.

What might those qualities be? You will find your own, of course, and create your own order of importance among them.

Generosity is one that comes to mind; so does courage.

In some ways, they are part of the same story: it takes courage to offer help. Standing up for something, or reaching out to help, involves the gift of courage.

Music can help with thinking about these ideas.

“We need joy as we need air. We need love as we need water. We need each other as we need the earth we share.” - Maya Angelou 

Many travelers are captivated by the grandeur of major historic cities—Paris, London, Edinburgh, Madrid, Prague, and Vienna—but there’s something truly special about smaller destinations that exude historic charm without being overwhelming.

In these more compact cities, history feels alive, as if you've stepped back in time.

As the host of The Historic Traveler blog, I wanted to highlight three of my favorite lesser-known historic gems: Taormina, Italy; Český Krumlov, Czech Republic; and Killarney, Ireland.

I have the best book to share with you today! Shari Leid's new travel memoir, Table for 51: Lessons Learned from Sharing Meals Across America, published by Capucia Publishing, shares her incredible series of journeys across our country. It's also an inspiring call for us to reach out, connect, reflect, and grow. 

Uncertain times, shifting times, and at this writing, winter storms of all sorts, as well.

And yet...there is Valentine’s Day.

Also, at this time of year in the United States, and at other times in other parts of the world, there are (official edicts aside), celebrations of Black history and story.

Celebrations and reminders of love of all sorts, and resilience of all sorts -- both well needed as time and circumstance continue to shift.