Hello, my friend!

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As I sit here reflecting on a beautiful celebration I attended this weekend, I can't help but think about life's transitions and how they shape us. Whether it's a young woman stepping into adulthood or our own journey through life's different seasons, these moments of transition offer us an opportunity to choose who we want to be.

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👇 In today's email:

• This week's inspiration: A Celebration of Womanhood
• Latest blog post: Transforming A Narrative of Victimhood
• What I'm reading: The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy

A Celebration of Womanhood

There's something profoundly moving about witnessing a coming-of-age celebration. This weekend, I had the privilege of attending my niece Lulu's bat mitzvah in Atlanta—a name short for Hallelujah that perfectly captures her joyous spirit and boundless potential.

This beautiful rite of passage involved Lulu leading a religious service and being blessed by five Rabbis who traveled from as far as LA and NYC. Then came the celebration—a wedding-like party filled with adoration, sheer joy, and so much dancing that even this dedicated Birkenstock-wearer couldn't resist joining in (though my feet are certainly reminding me of it today!).

What struck me most was the beautiful diversity of the gathering—people from ages 2 to 82, all moving together in celebration of this young woman's journey into adulthood. In a world that often feels fractured, there's something deeply healing about sweating in sync with generations of people, united in joy and purpose.

I made a conscious choice that day. Instead of declining the invitation to step outside my comfort zone, I chose to say, "I am here for this." I'm here for joy, for solidarity, to help guide this young woman into adulthood—and yes, to soak up a little sunshine and warmth along the way.

These moments of transition aren't just for the young people we celebrate. They're invitations for all of us to show up fully, to embrace life with open arms, and to remember that we always have a choice in how we respond to life's invitations.

Latest blog post
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​Transforming Your Narrative: How to Reframe From Victim to Strength​

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a story where you're the victim? We all do it sometimes—crafting narratives around how unfairly we've been treated or why things didn't work out. While these stories help us make sense of disappointment and hurt, they can also keep us trapped in cycles of frustration and powerlessness.

In my latest blog post, I explore the journey from victimhood to strength and resilience. I share practical approaches for transforming your narrative, including acknowledging your feelings without judgment, identifying the stories you're telling yourself, looking for lessons in challenges, practicing radical acceptance, and focusing on your sphere of influence.

Remember, shifting from victimhood to strength isn't a one-time achievement but an ongoing practice. With courage and compassion, you can transform your narrative into one of authentic strength while honoring both your wounds and your resilience.

​Read the post here →​

What I'm Reading
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The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy

I've recently begun listening to the audiobook of Tolstoy's "The Death of Ivan Ilyich." It's been quite some time since I've immersed myself in a deeply reflective Russian work, and I'm finding myself captivated by the existential questions it raises about authenticity and purpose.

The story follows Ivan Ilyich, a successful lawyer who, at the end of his life, questions whether his achievements were meaningful or merely in vain because they weren't aligned with his true desires. This has me contemplating our own life choices—to what extent do we follow prescribed paths to please our culture or family, versus forging our own authentic journey?

When I graduated from college in 1997, the expected path for "smart students" was to become doctors, lawyers, or bankers. My journey into acupuncture and Chinese medicine was definitely not the expected outcome for someone from my background. But this path has been truly my own, guided by passion and purpose rather than external expectations.

I'm fascinated by how we navigate the tension between societal expectations and personal calling. How much do we compromise, and at what cost? My hope is that at life's end, we can look back and say we've lived a life that was authentically ours—one we truly believed we should have lived.

I’m cheering for you. Have a wonderful week!

Dr. Cat 🥰

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Dr. Catherine

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