Today marks the first day of Spring and the eve of my 50th birthday. As much as the world is heavy and dark, there are clear signs of light and life around us. The days are getting longer with sunsets later into the evening and the vibrant green stems of daffodils are starting to emerge from the dirt. Noticing these small signs and looking for them makes my heart a little lighter. I hope you feel this, too. 

“What are you going to do to celebrate 50?” That’s what people keep asking me. I have thought about that deeply and for awhile, because I don’t take this milestone for granted. Many people I have loved were not given the gift of 50. I wanted to truly celebrate what a gift it is. 

What I realized is that I did not want a party. Having so many people in a room that mean a lot to me and have played significant roles in my life and to only be able to talk to them for a few minutes each felt stressful. What I want is more time with the people who mean the most to me. At 50, I know time is the most precious of gifts—and we can never have enough of it. So I began my year of 50 with a girls weekend spending time with my most favorite girls—my three daughters. 

And I plan to fill a whole year of time intentionally well spent—coffees, small dinners, walks on beautiful days with people I love. What could be better than that?

A friend, a few years ahead of me, shared this post with me about turning 50 and celebrating with ritual. I was one step ahead, because this year I decided I would send 50 letters to people who I wanted to encourage and who have encouraged me. I also spent today writing about 50 things I am grateful for and that was easy. 

Please know that you made my list. You, this community, your support for me and my work, your messages and kind words are a gift that I treasure. 

If you are reaching a milestone of any sort, maybe it’s a birthday, an anniversary, a life transition, the years you have stayed sober—it is an occasion worth celebrating, perhaps with a ritual. You and your life are worth celebrating! 

This is one of the best conversations on what it takes to make relationships work and why they fall a part. The most interesting thing is that it is a divorce lawyer who offers his spot-on wisdom! 

And speaking of more time—I would love to spend time with you and see you in person at these two events! 

TODAY Stages Health & Wellness Summit • March 26

On March 26th, join Shop TODAY Stages at City Winery Hudson Valley in Montgomery, New York for a day dedicated to destigmatizing women's health topics and exploring the latest trends in wellness. Hear from doctors and experts leading the way on common concerns for every woman, like menopause, mental health, weight management, breast cancer and much more. Take part in our Brand Bazaar filled with immersive experiences from some of our favorite brands, and connect with a community redefining what it means to thrive at every age. Walk away with useful tips, standout products, and solutions to support your well-being throughout every stage of life.

Parmenter Foundation • Laughter, Love, and Loss: An Evening with Actress/Comedian, Alyssa Limperis • April 2

Are you or someone you love going through grief? If you are in the Boston area, please join us for an intimate evening of comedy, conversation and connection with actress, writer and comedian, Alyssa Limperis. I will be moderating the event!

Wishing you a beautiful week!

If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ve probably heard me talk about “3 Good Things.” It’s the question I often ask my kids and one of my favorite gratitude practices.

Research shows that identifying three good things each day can actually rewire your brain from negativity to optimism in just 30 days. Follow along for my 3GT each month! And send me yours! I want to hear from you.