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ISSUE 13, 20 JANUARY 2026
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Welcome back to The Bend!
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The Bend follows a simple rhythm each week. The Eddy Line opens with a one-line thought or
observation, something short enough to remember but worth thinking
about. What the Current Pulled Toward dives a
little deeper into where the previous week’s energy went, whether that’s
a project, a partnership, or a personal lesson learned. Signal Fire highlights a person, place, or initiative
that deserves some attention. And One Thought Worth
Sitting With closes things out with a brief reflection or quote
that will hopefully help guide you through whatever you may be dealing
with.
It’s part journal, part field note, and hopefully
something that makes you pause for a moment before diving back into the
current.
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“Showing up is about deciding not to disappear when
things get hard.”
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What the Current Pulled Toward
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This week the current pulled toward showing
up
Anyone can show up when things
are exciting or easy. The real test comes later, when the work turns
repetitive, the wins are incremental, and the path forward feels longer
than expected.
I’ve been thinking a
lot about how much of meaningful work is simply staying in it. Showing
up again after the meeting that went nowhere. Showing up when the
funding is uncertain. Showing up when the timeline slips, the criticism
comes, or the effort feels invisible. Perseverance isn’t glamorous, but
it’s where trust is built and momentum eventually forms. It’s the
difference between caring about something and being willing to carry it
forward over time.
There’s also a
responsibility tied to showing up, especially in community work,
conservation, and public spaces. It’s something I feel like I’ve fallen
short on several times throughout my career but I understand that
progress doesn’t come from a single voice or a single moment. Progress
comes from people who keep showing up to advocate, to listen, to ask
uncomfortable questions, and to constantly remind decision-makers why
this work matters, even if it means finding yourself in a situation
where you’re tolerated instead of appreciated.
Presence, over time, becomes influence. And influence, when
used well, becomes change.
-
Mike.
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Our Virginia
Outdoors is a statewide coalition working to ensure long-term,
dedicated funding for Virginia’s natural, cultural, and recreational
assets. Their mission is grounded in the belief that parks, trails,
public lands, historic sites, and waterways are essential to quality of
life, economic vitality, and community health across the
Commonwealth.
One tangible way that
commitment shows up is
Outdoor Recreation Day
at the Virginia Capitol on January 28. It’s an opportunity for
outdoor advocates, professionals, and community members to gather in
Richmond and speak directly with legislators about the importance of
investing in outdoor recreation and conservation.
Events like this help demonstrate that stewardship doesn’t
stop at the trailhead or riverbank. It also happens in hearing rooms,
offices, and conversations that require patience, persistence, and
people willing to keep showing up.
To learn more about Our Virginia Outdoors,
click
here.
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One Thought Worth Sitting With
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This week’s theme: Showing Up.
“Stay the course, light the lights, and don’t let
anyone tell you it can’t be done.“
-Chris Hadfield
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Let’s Go to Germany and Austria!
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In less than 10 months, Oxbow is heading overseas, and
you’re invited. We’re partnering with
EF Adventures for a guided
multi-adventure journey
through Germany and Austria, exploring Bavaria, Tyrol, and Salzburg
by foot, bike, paddle, and rail.
It’s part cultural immersion and part active escape,
with alpine trails, lakeside yoga, village cafés, and the kind of views
that make you forget your phone exists. This isn’t a tour bus vacation;
it’s a chance to travel intentionally, move through landscapes at a
human pace, and connect with a group that values
curiosity
as much as comfort.
Monthly payment plans are available.
If you’ve ever wanted to explore Europe beyond the
postcards, this is your moment.
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Follow Oxbow on Social Media
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