Four is my least favorite number (five is my favorite, I’m sure in part and parcel having been born on 10/5); perhaps that’s why a birthday filled with two number fours felt a little less remarkable than all those that had preceded it. I compensated by marking the milestone in four lovely ways: dinner with old friends from California before teaching at the Stanford GSB, cake and Champagne with my beloved husband and daughters, four grueling workouts with none other than Mr. Abdul Sillah, and four reflections of what my attitude is about age and life at this moment in time. Those thoughts are as follows:

1. Age is a Mindset [“Seeking episodic versus daily balance” as the goal rings true this year more than ever, Life Hack #65] 
2. The finest friendships, like fine wine, only mature and get better with age.  
3. Be One, Get One: Mentorship is powerful. Cherish being a mentor and getting coaching from your mentors. [Aka: None of us climb the ladder alone. Chapter 6, Leadership and Life Hacks]
4. You have to be present to win. [Leadership Hack #14] So when all else fails, “Keep swinging.” [Conclusion, Leadership and Life Hacks, as inspired by the one and only Hal Morris.]

Wishing those who celebrate the Jewish holidays a Happy New Year- and to those of us fall birthdays, a beautiful, colorful season.