Double Chai

1 hour and 15 minutes until my 36th birthday, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude - literally brimming with a molecular, bone-felt joy that everyone deserves to feel at least once in their lifetime... lump in my throat, tears in my eyes, I feel like the luckiest woman alive.

My what a difference a year makes... Just one year ago, I was drowning in my preconceptions of 35 - the mammogram I've still yet to have, the sagging boobs that have remained firm, the I'm-now-closer-to-40-than-30-and-STILL-not-married fear of dying eggs and dried up ovaries.... let's face it, I thought 35 was death disguised with frosting and a candle.

And then this amazing thing happened to me... I woke up to LIFE. I can't quite recall if it was the break-up with yet another ill-matched boyfriend, or it was just luck - but sometime this year, I decided to take control of my life and OWN it. Prince Charming wasn't swooping in to save me on his horse any time soon, so I'd damned well better do it myself!

And I am. Tomorrow, as I turn 36, I begin graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania in Positive Psychology, a field that fills my soul and inspires my mind. A program that literally brings me to tears of gratitude every time I think about it. I have searched for nearly a decade to find a graduate program that will enable me to encourage and inspire others for a living. A program that will allow me to LIVE as I've always dreamt I could: To live my purpose.

In Hebrew, the number 18 represents the word "life" (chai). So 36 is double chai, life 2x as good. How appropriate that I should begin this new journey on my 36th birthday. And even more amazing, how appropriate that tomorrow is also Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Yes, it's going to be quite a wonderful, new, year.

Thank you to all of my friends, family and colleagues for your encouragement and support. Thank you go G-d for these blessings. My cup floweth over. Bring it on, Life! I can't wait!