Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.
One positive transformation in my life has been completing my bachelor’s degree in my 40s and progressing toward my master’s in public health. Returning to school has been a fulfilling experience, providing me with valuable insights about the world and deepening my self-awareness.
What are five everyday things that bring you happiness?
Five daily joys that greatly enrich my life include my two cats, who are my first pets and bring endless delight; music, which deeply inspires and moves me; reading, which broadens my perspective and deepens my emotions; my nieces and nephews, each uniquely wonderful; and my enduring hope in my own strength and capacity for growth and change.
Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.
During the time I lived in Oakland, California, each morning heralded an early awakening, prior to the daybreak. I would dress in running garb and drive a brief ten minutes into the embrace of the Oakland hills to walk, and then eventually run, the trails lined with majestic redwoods. These morning runs, enjoyed in the nascent light of dawn, remain etched in my memory as some of the most enriching experiences of my existence. To be solitary amongst the towering redwoods, witnessing the gradual retreat of the morning fog, while the symphony of nature’s awakening filled the air, offered an unparalleled commencement to my day.
It was a rare occurrence to encounter another soul on these trails, but on one particular morning, I came upon an elderly gentleman. He was leisurely walking, engrossed in a book he carried. As I approached, he paused, and with a tone imbued with reverence, remarked, “Isn’t this amazing?”
His words resonated deeply; they encompassed the moist earth underfoot, the pristine aroma of the woods, the towering ancient trees, and the mist-laden path—all components of a truly awe-inspiring tableau.
Surveying the surroundings with a renewed appreciation, I replied, “Yes, it is. I exercise here each morning as a form of active meditation. It is indeed the finest way to begin the day.”
Meeting my gaze with tranquil eyes, he responded, “You are a very rich woman.”
With a smile, I proceeded along the path, and in that moment, a profound realization dawned upon me: notwithstanding the trials and tribulations of life, I was indeed a rich woman. Amidst the quietude of the early hours, in the sanctuary of the redwoods, I found a wealth that transcended the material—a richness of spirit and being.
She Travels Alone 