Third Space Studio

As many of you who follow our work know, we’re big believers in small moments of joy — especially in seasons marked by overwhelm and upheaval. As we considered what to share as our final post of this chaotic and heartbreaking year, we kept returning to the necessity of choosing joy.

Robin Wall Kimmerer writes, "Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift."

Her words, written in the chapter of Braiding Sweetgrass that recounts the devastation and healing of Onondaga Lake, remind us that even amid destruction — in our communities, in our planet, in our nonprofits — we can choose joy because we continually receive it.

As we close out 2025, we’re sharing a few of our own moments of joy from this past year, and hoping you discover plenty of your own in these final weeks.

Heather: One of the places that gives me the most joy is Ocracoke Island on the coast of North Carolina. This fall, I was able to spend a week there with one of the things that sparks the most joy - my goofy and adorable puppy, Frank. Seeing him run, swim, and play with his sister in a gorgeous landscape fueled me for the work ahead.

Meredith: My garden is my daily source of joy. I look for new blossoms on my comings and goings. In October as I peeked into the garden on my way into the house, a flutter of orange caught my eye. There among the orange blossoms of the flame vine was a monarch butterfly resting and refueling on its epic migration journey. I’ve now sent this photo to numerous friends in the midst of their own long journeys.

Wishing you moments of wonder, grounding, and joy as we wrap up the year. We look forward to reconnecting with you in 2026.

In these turbulent political times, you know what nonprofit work looks like on the ground.

If you work at a nonprofit, Building Movement Project's Race to Lead survey turns your lived experience into data that drives change.

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We've officially entered the swampy season in North Carolina. Temps in the 90s, humidity to match, and at least two showers a day. Even after 40+ summers here, I still forget how much the heat takes out of me—until a few nights of leg cramps remind me: I need more water and electrolytes to feel like myself.

But it’s not just our bodies that need replenishing.
How often do we pause to ask: What does my spirit need right now?

Meredith and I pulled together a few things that have given us joy, perspective, or just a moment of peace in the current chaos:

🌟 Heather’s Pick
If you need a dose of pure delight, I highly recommend Love on the Spectrum (Netflix). Watching people speak so openly and sincerely about love—and seeing the warmth and humor of their families—feels like an antidote to the headlines.

🍓 Meredith’s Pick (literally)
Summer is berry season at our house. We have 20+ year-old blueberry bushes, and my partner forages blackberries around the neighborhood. This spring, we also found mulberries—and turned some of them into shrub, a tangy-sweet fruit syrup that’s perfect with sparkling water on a hot day.

Here’s our go-to cold-infused recipe:

DIY Berry Shrub (Small Batch)

1½ cups berries (any mix)
½ cup sugar
Optional: herbs (mint, thyme, basil)
→ Macerate berries + sugar in a quart jar; add herbs if using. Refrigerate overnight.
Add 1 cup apple cider vinegar + 1 cup water
→ Steep in fridge overnight (or up to a week). Strain and chill. Keeps for months!
Serve with seltzer and lime, or however you like.

What’s filling your cup these days? We'd love to hear and stay tuned for more of our favorites!

Our colleague, Shannon Moretz, often reminds us of what it means to be a true community leader.

Her recent reflections on how she can shortchange her own work by assuming responsibility for the work of others rang true for us. We see this pattern in ourselves and in the leaders we coach.

Even in the midst of multiple crises, we benefit ourselves and our partners when we step back to ask, “Is this my work?” Thanks for the reminder, Shannon.

A Note on Responsibility The author reflects on the challenges of servant leadership, emphasizing the difficulty of saying “no” and the risk of burnout. They encourage leaders to assess their responsibilities, …