What personality trait do you love about yourself?

I appreciate a couple of things about my personality traits, particularly my care and compassion for others. In the work I do, I'm privileged to create policies that focus on caring for our most vulnerable, implementing protections, and ensuring they're considered and cared for. These are the individuals in our communities who are often overlooked and need the most support. This sense of care and compassion extends beyond my work into my relationships and how I choose to love and support others.

What is your definition of success?

The concept of success has evolved for me over time. In my earlier years, success was intertwined with material possessions and the pursuit of worldly goods. The accumulation of stuff seemed to define importance and self-worth. As I entered my 30s, it became more about status and establishing a foothold in my career.

However, as I've grown older, especially in my 50s, I've undergone a profound transformation. Enlightenment has led me to recognize what truly matters. Inner peace has become paramount, and my relationship with the Creator, with God, holds far greater significance. Success, to me, is finding that inner peace, connecting with the divine, and consciously choosing love every day.

Forgiving, caring for others, and embracing love are what I now consider true success. These qualities have eclipsed the significance of material possessions and other trivial matters. In this stage of life, genuine connections and spiritual fulfillment take precedence, and that, to me, defines success.

What is the best advice you've been given?

I have two pieces of advice that have profoundly impacted me, and surprisingly, I find inspiration in the realm of social media, particularly on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. There are countless influencers there, and one quote that resonated deeply with me is, "When somebody shows you or tells you who they are, believe them." This lesson has been crucial for me, given my compassionate nature. I tend to see the best in people and offer them the benefit of the doubt. Embracing this insight as a grounding principle, I've learned to let people reveal their true selves, and when they do, I believe them. Often, individuals understand themselves far better than I ever could.

The other invaluable advice comes from Mary Ann Williamson's book, "I Return to Love." Williamson emphasizes that in life, we face a fundamental choice: to live in love or succumb to fear. Opting for fear—expressed as disappointment, regret, frustration, or anger—diverts us from God's intended path, albeit temporarily. When our decisions are fear-driven, they lead us astray, requiring extra time to find our way back.

Contrastingly, choosing love means embracing qualities such as caring, compassion, kindness, honesty, and generosity. With heightened awareness, I evaluate my decisions, questioning whether they are rooted in love or fear. If I choose love, I continue moving forward; if I choose fear, my progress slows. This discernment, a gift from age and wisdom, guides my choices. I consciously opt for love, shaping my decisions and paving the way for my future steps.