Day 1: New Year

Wow, today I woke up and it's the first day of my 50th year! Still reeling from the past week and all the birthday celebrations!

The festivities kicked off with the NWPC 50 for 50 event! If you missed this exciting evening, then it was your loss.

Pictured here are two of my most favorite women! Eka Ninuea, me, and Rebecca Sanchez. These ladies are not only big time gal pals, and business owners of Salon Dione, but they make sure my locks are always looking great!

I am so touched by all the accolades and words of accommodation from so many elected officials and community leaders. California Secretary of State Debra Bowen, always a supporter of NWPC and of mentoring women to run for office, attended despite her challenging schedule as Secretary of State and as a candidate for US Congress.

She is a good friend to women and to ensuring that we have more women in office. If you live in her district, please support her for her bid for Congress.

My Assembly member Holly Mitchell attended and honored me with her generous words and I am proud to have supported her.

West Hollywood City Councilwoman Abbe Land, one of my favorite women leaders, attended and shared such an adorable tribute to me! It was precious, and so is she.

Former NWPC-California President Celeste Weingardt drove all the way from Ventura County to be with me tonight and to shower me with love & support.

I felt very special and blessed tonight. And I feel as if my Birthday had purpose... By using my 50th Birthday to raise money for our Political Action Committee I am ensuring that we have the resources to support our endorsed women candidates. What a cool way to usher in the next 50 years!

Day 258: Make Today Count

Wow, the last day of a decade. When you reflect back on the year, are you happy with what you've accomplished? Disappointed that you didn't keep your resolutions? Pleased with where you are in life? Well, today's the day to take stock in your life, your relationships, your work, your community and decide what you want to change, keep the same, or improve upon.

Some people don't like making New Year's resolutions, maybe because they never stick with them! Others like to goal-set. Making goals and commitments is a plan that works for them. Everyone has their own style.

A few goals I have set for 2011 include:

1) Organizing my computer (What a disaster my filing system is on my computer!)

2) Catch up on my photo albums (I cherish my pictures and believe they chronicle the years of my life & family... I feel so damn behind!)

3) Read more (I love the feeling of being wrapped up in a great story, I miss that feeling and want to experience it more often in the New Year)

4) Continue my running (I've been training for the Los Angeles Marathon in March 2011 and I've stuck to this goal, it's so close now I can't give up!)

5) Launch my new Website (Wait to you see this gem, it's beautiful! Look for a launch announcement in the next week!)

Whatever your style is, at a minimum commit to living your life with passion and purpose.

My greatest wish for us all in the New Year .... May 2011 bring the world abundance peace.

Day 145: May It Be A Sweet Year

Today is Rosh Hashanah. The holiday actually began at sundown last night. We kicked off the New Year with a sweet apples dipped in honey dinner with Aunt Michele & Uncle Michael, and cousins Esme and Olivia. We really missed Zoe and Brandon who are both off at college and Aunt Jennifer who is in New York and other family members that were not with us. (too many to list!)

At Rosh Hashanah we serve and eat a round Challah as opposed to the braided Challah eaten on Shabat. Do you know why this is? Because the round Challah signifies the circle of life. And this Holiday is about the circle of life and celebrating a fresh new beginning. It is a time for us to wash away bad feelings, thoughts, anger, resentment and start anew with our relationships and our life. (I recognize this is easier said then done!)

For those that know me well, and for those getting to know me better through my daily posts, you know that Fall is my favorite season of the four. I love when the cooler temperatures arrive and it's crisp outside. I love being able to light a fire to make the house cozy. I love the Autumn colors of burnt orange, brown and magenta. So when the Jewish New Year hits it's time for me to reflect on what the year has been about and what I'd like to have the New Year look like.

That requires a lot of self reflection and thought. Which relationships do I want to improve upon? Which relationships do I want to end as they are not healthy for me to be in or I don't get back what I give? How do I want to spend my time? With my children? With my partner? What professional work do I want to accomplish? How about personal goals. I've talked a lot about my running and my goals with respect to running a marathon. But what else? This is the time of year to wrap your head around such deep and meaningful questions.

So however you spend the Holiday... worshipping in synagogue, spending time with family and friends, being alone reflecting, I hope that you recommit to being the best person you can be... to continue helping others, and finding peace within yourself.

L'Shanah Tovah my friends ...