It has been a lifelong dream to travel the West Coast, tracing the edge of the continent from Seattle to San Diego. I’d heard stories of Route 101: the winding roads where mountains meet the ocean, the towering majesty of the redwood forests, and the quiet beauty of coastal towns. When the opportunity for a sabbatical arrived, I knew a West Coast drive had to be part of my journey. After a week in Seattle visiting the Mona Foundation, Eric and I set off on a breathtaking jour

A Heart-to-Heart with the Mona Foundation My trip from Dublin to Seattle was a long journey, punctuated by a three-hour layover in Philadelphia where I spent the time writing. At some point, I sent a text to Laura Baerwolf, who was supposed to pick me up at the airport, to let her know I’d made it to Philadelphia and would see her that evening. It turns out I had sent her the wrong date; she was expecting me the following day and had arranged for me to be hosted by a friend.

This Mother’s Day, I find myself reflecting on the two soulful human beings I have been honored to raise. My son and daughter are now adventurous, resilient, and hardworking adults with a wonderful sense of humor. They remain my constant source of inspiration. But as I look back on the journey of raising them, I’ve come to a conclusion that our society often overlooks: motherhood is the most intensive leadership training available. We live in a culture that consistently under

I arrived in Ireland with a heart full of anticipation, ready to reunite with a friend I had not seen in forty years. I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland, as I have heard so much of the country’s beauty, and was looking forward to the trip. Reuniting with Veronica was instantaneous. When we saw each other, those four decades of separation vanished. We picked up exactly where we left off, a testament to the special phenomenon of New Era, the school we attended in India. As chi

My journey from the ancient marbles of Athens to the lush rolling hills of Tuscany felt like a continuation of a theme. If Greece was a masterclass in reorienting towards hope, Lucca became a living laboratory for its cultivation. My journey from Greece was meant to be a tightly orchestrated trip including a flight to Rome, a quick dash to the train station, and a connection to Pisa by late evening. But the universe had other plans and a flight delay blew my schedule apart, l

We arrived in Athens in the quiet, hours of the early morning, weary from a long trek through Morocco. As has been the theme of my sabbatical, I haven’t paid much attention to the finer details, choosing instead to lean into the current of the journey and let it carry me where I need to go. Our Airbnb was in the Charilaou Trikoupi neighborhood. At 2:00 AM, the city was a blur of shadows, but even through my exhaustion, I noticed the heavy presence of riot police stationed nex

The journey to Morocco began with a crossing, not just of borders, but of states of being. I arrived in Casablanca a day ahead of my family, carrying the dust of Kenya and a weariness that had settled deep in my bones. Under the weather and craving stillness, I retreated into the sanctuary of my hotel. There, a hot shower, a quiet meal of soul-warming Moroccan spices, and a heavy dose of vitamin C served as my initiation. I crashed into a deep sleep, waking the next morning r

April 21st marks the first day of Ridván, and Bahá’ís all over the world are celebrating what is, to Bahá’ís, the most holy of festivals. This sacred period continues through May 1st, a time of profound joy and reflection. I love this season because it is Spring, April is my birthday month, and my parents named me after this “most great festival.” I often joke when I meet other Bahá’ís a few days before the festival begins that “Ridván has arrived early!” The meaning of the n

Three years ago, in our hotel restaurant in Portugal, my husband jokingly referred to me as "Princess" as I fussed over something. I corrected him, stating that I go by “Your Majesty." A young Portuguese hostess overheard us, joining the joke. For the rest of our stay, she addressed me as "Your Majesty." It was a lighthearted moment, but as I walked through the Belem district touring the historic landmarks, the Tower of Belém and the sail-shaped Discoveries Monument that cele