Message from the Chair

• Citation: Vol. 33 No. 5
• Publication year: 2019
• Author: By Ramit Mizrahi

Message From the Chair

By Ramit Mizrahi

Ramit Mizrahi is the founder of Mizrahi Law, APC in Pasadena, where she represents employees exclusively. She focuses on discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination cases. She can be reached at ramit@ mizrahilaw.com.

I spent a month reflecting on this column, my final message as Section Chair. I wanted it to be meaningful— not just the usual thank yous and goodbyes (although those can be found below).

As I write this column, I am 35,000 feet up in the air, returning from a glorious visit to Glacier National Park and to see family. In the five days that we were at the Park, we hiked 40 miles (with my six-year-old leading the way much of the time) and immersed ourselves in nature. Glacier National Park is spectacular, with glaciers, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, forests, and majestic wildlife all around. (Sadly, with climate change, many of the glaciers will be gone in the next 10 to 20 years.)

I've always found that when hiking, I have a chance to get lost in my thoughts and to contemplate life. I take a step back from the day-today and start to think about the big picture. Indeed, some of my biggest life decisions were made on a trail at one of our national parks. Inevitably, I reflect on how life can be so beautiful, yet also so fleeting, so arbitrary, and sometimes so cruel. We must work to build a future (for ourselves, and for the next generations), and yet we never know whether/when our good fortunes will run out and this very day will be our last (or our last in good health or with our loved ones).

How we spend our time and money often requires a tradeoff between present and future. Each of us will have our own Goldilocks spot. The only way to strike the right balance is by being conscious of our own choices. Consider going to whatever special place lets you reflect, and ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you happy in your job? Is your career fulfilling/ rewarding? Are there changes you would like to make or somewhere else you'd rather be? If so, what's holding you back? What sacrifices would a change require and are you prepared to make them?
• Are you working too much? Not enough? Why? Can you change that? How?
• Are you surrounding yourself with the right people? Are you spending enough time with those near and dear to you? Will you regret time you missed?
• Are you spending time on activities that bring you happiness? What are the non-work activities that make you lose track of time?
• Are you...