About

I’d like to share what Inspired New Horizons means to me. Originally, it was the domain name I crafted for my blog website in 2016. That domain name was rooted in the wisdom of J. R. R. Tolkien who offered “not all who wander are lost.” In fact, that quote resided on my home page for quite a while.

What I know now – eight years later – that I did not know then was this revelation: I had been lost to myself for most of my life. I had an inkling that I needed to shake things up and make a few changes because I was unhappy, discontent and tired of taking one step forward and two steps back in many areas of my life.

I set my sights on an “inspired, new horizon” seeking to understand myself better so that I could change that old paradigm and shift into something that felt more like being comfortable in my own skin – no matter where I was or who I was with.

The current buzz in 2016 was Mindfulness – and it was a special edition of Time Magazine in a grocery store rack that became the staple in my metaphorical backpack for my “wandering journey” of self-discovery.

I had no idea that I would become such a devoted enthusiast about personal growth, self-awareness, neuroscience, psychology, behavioral sciences and emotional intelligence.

I also had no idea how universally mainstreamed those very same subjects would become. What I cobbled together in a rather haphazard fashion from the internet and a limited self help section in bookstores is now readily accessible and highly relatable thanks to podcasters, Ted Talks, social media and YouTube. We’ve moved from academic-like textbooks to dynamic, practical, engaging books on all these subjects too. In fact, it can feel like a firehose has been turned on when it comes to information about our emotions, relationship skills and tools, parenting, cognitive health and longevity.

What began as a legitimate “self improvement” (and long overdue) introspection, grew into a passion and purpose for me. How wild is that?

My blog started out as a way to hold myself accountable to the personal growth work I’d committed to and as a way to ensure the work would take root.

I’ve learned from Adam Grant, organizational psychologist, and Andrew Huberman, neuroscientist, that when we “teach” new things we are learning , we ingrain that knowledge in remarkable ways. I have found this to be remarkably true and incredibly motivating.

I’ve changed and grown in the most delightful ways over the past 8 years, though it didn’t always feel good in the moment. Isn’t that the very same way we feel about all kinds of things that we pursue in our lifetime – from riding a bike, to learning trade skills, getting a certification or degree. Hard work does pay off and sometimes we discover hidden potential, a deeply motivating passion or a meaningful sense of purpose for this chapter of our lives.

My blog has evolved too. Now it has some offspring – my daily newsletter known as the Daily Gummy of Wisdom — and a “page-a-day” book in progress.

When I began my journey of self-discovery and self-improvement in 2016, I was lost and determined to find out why. Today, I am energized by the realization that there are many people out here, equally enthusiastic about all we have to learn and discover about ourselves and each other.

Thank you for your interest in all these fields of research. As Dr. Michael Gervais, elite sports psychologist, reminds us — we do not do this work alone. I so appreciate everyone who shares that inkling to learn and grow!

I’m now enjoying my 7th decade, a devoted grandmother who loves writing, reading, photography, crafting, sewing and spending as much time in nature as possible. I’m always up for great conversations, book clubs, new adventures and classes of all kinds. — Amy Davis

January 2025