In the face of trauma—any trauma—degradation, hurt and suffering,
never give up. Live with guts, grit and gusto.

People who have identified their life’s purpose live longer than those who don’t.

Discover the connection between living longer and personal growth in the process of ever evolving.

Serving in the Israeli Air Force was not for the faint of heart. Between boot camp, border patrol, and the constant threat of danger, I was terrified, but I never flinched from duty. To this day, as in the past, I don’t allow fear to rule me. I’m counter-phobic. I take deep breaths and do what has to be done. On the other hand, I won’t invite danger. I don’t need to experience everything. Life is too precious to take unnecessary risks.

Message to my mother: Don’t tell me I can’t do it. Don’t tell me that because I’m a girl, I cannot climb trees and play sports like the boys. Don’t tell me because I’m a woman I cannot have it all—a husband, children and a thriving career. Don’t tell me to reign in my adventurous nature because I’m a woman. Just be proud of me, Mama. I followed my dreams and accomplished it all.

Life is a chain of marathons you’re determined to run for the joy of finishing.

In the pursuit of passion, some people encounter a tug-of-war between being selfish and selfless. What I’ve discovered is that before you can take care of others, you need to be able to take care of yourself. It’s like the flight attendants on airplanes say, “If the oxygen masks drop down, put yours on and then help your children.” Remember, everybody matters. So do you. Life takes guts, grit and gusto.

When people tell you that you can’t do something, how do you react? Do you react with anger? Are you immobilized? Are you indignant? Do you give it thought and consider options? Does a “no” response just make you more determined? People react differently when others do things that affect them in a negative way—whether through criticism, discouragement, opposition, warning or dissuasion. What I’ve learned is to stand back and evaluate the situation before reacting. While you may be upset, think about what’s important to you. Then take control of your life by exercising personal responsibility in the pursuit of worthy goals. By planning the steps, you need to take, maintaining a positive attitude and having fun, you can accomplish your life’s dreams. While you might experience chaos, uncertainty and setbacks along the way, remember, you are constantly changing in the never-ending process of evolving. How can you change your response to people who push your buttons?