New Year, New Career, New Life

We, and everyone we love, will die someday. That’s uncomfortable. So, most of us avoid the thought entirely.

I did too.

Even after I was forced to leave my dream job due to serious health issues and the brutal demands of the pandemic, I told myself a comforting lie: I need rest. Eat better. Exercise more. Then everything goes back to “normal.”

Once my health stabilized, I returned to work and stepped into an incredible opportunity to lead strategy at a fast-growing agency. Growth came fast. My department more than doubled. And the real gift? A team of exceptional people with heart, honesty, determination, and the willingness to do what it takes to succeed.

Two years later, my life was interrupted.

I learned my father had a life-threatening condition and wasn’t receiving proper care in his hometown. My sister found a top specialist in Los Angeles; however, the next problem was unavoidable: at 85, with limited mobility, how would he manage 5,000-mile trips for ongoing treatment?

Of four siblings, I was the one best positioned to help. So, I walked away from yet another significant role, one I had dreamt of, but one that was strenuously demanding and consumed all my waking hours. At that moment, there was no drama, just clarity.

Since his diagnosis, my family rallied. With outstanding care from Dr. Watson and his team at Cedars-Sinai, my father is now cancer-free. That entire experience permanently reshaped my priorities.

This pause in my career gave me space to reflect on my career and what I thought I wanted from life. I found myself drawn to ancient philosophy, particularly the teachings of Motoori Norinaga, who articulated mono no aware or “the pathos of things.” It’s the awareness of impermanence, and the quiet truth that sorrow exists because we care. Meaning comes from fully appreciating life's fragile, fleeting nature. Later, Ii Naosuke popularized ichi-go ichi-e, or “one time, one meeting.” Every moment is unrepeatable. Every encounter happens once. Miss it, and it’s gone forever.

As I move into 2026, I’m carrying both philosophies with me, not as abstract ideas, but as guiding principles. I’m choosing honest and mindful presence over theatrical performance. Meaningful accomplishments over career momentum. Actual depth over superficial optics.

I will be grateful for:

• people who generously share their valuable time with me.

• work that challenges and fulfills me.

• new places and values that broaden my perspective.

• simple foods that nourish me.

• and even challenging experiences that sharpen my understanding of what it actually means to be alive.

My career should do more than pay the bills or symbolize status.

It will give me purpose and make every day one I am thankful for.

Spring fields harvested
Even strong backs bend with time
Grateful for each grain