Winter has officially arrived in Baja, a place I am finally calling home after three years. As I enjoy the cool breeze this morning, I find myself reflecting on the journey that brought me here—a journey that saw me miss almost every holiday and birthday with friends and family. It has also invited me to reinvent ways of celebrating and ritualizing life's passages in ways that feel meaningful.
Thanksgiving and Passover have always been my most cherished holidays, not so much for their historical significance, but for the large gatherings of loved ones, the delicious, colorful food, and the rich, symbolic conversations at the heart of these days.
This morning, I am filled with immense gratitude for the myriad of teachers who have enriched and altered my path.
To my parents, Reuben and Padi, thank you for being my first teachers. From my first steps to life’s big leaps, you have been the guiding lights, encouraging, listening, and illuminating my way with your wisdom and love.
To my siblings, Eli and Nicollette, thank you for showing me different paths, for your friendship, and for always providing a warm, welcoming space. Your laughter, stories, realness, and unwavering support have taught me much about strength, commitment, loyalty, and resilience.
To my mentors, Sharon, Pam, Larry, Dave, Sara, Marcus, Ignacio, Donna, Julie – thank you for pushing me beyond my limits. Thank you for seeing in me what I had yet to see in myself. You challenge me to reach new heights and encourage me to dive deep into oceans of knowledge I never knew. Your alignment, intention, dedication, and service have deeply inspired me.
To my lovers and friends, thank you for teaching me the language of the heart. You have expanded my capacity to feel, demanded my presence, held me accountable to my integrity, and supported my evolution into a more honest version of myself. Your reflections on my inconsistencies and patterns have been invaluable, helping me laugh at the weirdness and complexities of life.
To the artists whose work has touched my soul, thank you for teaching me the language of creativity. Your art has taught me to appreciate the beauty of expression and the power of imagination.
Each of you has played a pivotal role in shaping my understanding of the world. You have helped me see more clearly, assimilate wisdom more deeply, and grasp life’s subtleties with greater appreciation. Through your teachings, I continue to learn the art of transforming everyday experiences into moments of awe.
This Thanksgiving, I thank you all. Thank you for being my guiding lights, wise sages, and enthusiastic cheerleaders. Your impact is immeasurable, and your presence in my life is a gift I deeply cherish.
