Saying Goodbye to a Tough Year

Reflecting on the past year always stirs a mix of emotions in me. 2023 was a year of contrasts – joy and sadness, achievements and setbacks, losses and gains. I want to share the raw, unfiltered reflections from my journey through the year. I look at last year through the lens of a mother, a daughter, a businesswoman, a coach, a wife, and a friend. Last year, I felt like the fiddler on the roof, trying to maintain my balance amid the changing tides of life. Except, unlike the traditional fiddler - I was trying to play 3 different violins at the same time and expecting myself to do it perfectly. But amidst this balancing act, I've learned valuable lessons about resilience, empathy, and the beauty of imperfection. Let me take you through these insights, hoping they resonate with you as much as they did with me.

When I sat down to prepare this letter, the darkest day of my year colored everything else. On August 30th, I lost my grandmother, Margarita Golant. She was the matriarch of our family and a constant positive force in my life. I am not much of a writer, but even if I were, I would fail to express how incredibly unique and special she was. She had the most unbelievable mixture of strength, warmth, wisdom, generosity, and confidence. As a young girl in the Soviet Union during WWII, she faced daunting challenges, including pervasive antisemitism, yet she emerged as a distinguished OBGYN in Moscow. Her spirit of resilience didn't wane even as she left everything familiar behind to emigrate to America for her family's future. There, in a foreign land and well into her 70s, she embarked on a new path, becoming a homeopathic doctor and using her vast medical knowledge to help countless women overcome infertility.

I could write a book about all that she taught me (maybe I will someday), but three main lessons stick out for me:?

1. Choose to see the beauty in everything, especially in people?

1. "Real strength lies not in a clenched fist, but in an open hand, radiating warmth, connection, and generosity."
2. Know what you want, and don’t be afraid to demand it of yourself and of others

In many ways, the work I do now and the lessons that dominated this year were directly inspired by my grandmother.?

With 2023 behind us, I can almost hear her encouraging me to reflect on the beautiful moments despite the challenges. In tribute to her resilient spirit, I will also reflect on last year's highs…

I was privileged to guide founders of a fintech startup to a successful fundraise and their first significant contract. I witnessed the triumphant promotion of a leader I coached, who was also named MVP of his division. I supported marketing leaders navigating tumultuous changes, equipping them with the tools to face upcoming challenges confidently.?

So, as I bid farewell to 2023, I embrace my grandmother's wisdom. Her life lessons have shaped who I am and also helped me balance on my metaphorical roof, no matter how strong the winds. This year has been a rollercoaster, but it's taught me so much about staying strong, being kind, and focusing on what truly matters.

As we enter 2024, I encourage you to find your rhythm, identify what truly matters, and give it your undivided attention. May we all see the beauty in each other the way that my grandmother would have seen the beauty in you.?

Wishing you a year of beauty, resilience, and heartfelt connections.