“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” – Ian MacLaren.

This quote has long resonated with me and serves as a guiding principle in my interactions with the world. Behind every pair of eyes lies a personal history, sometimes colored with challenges and frustrations, and other times filled with joy and hope. Each of us is journeying through life with our own set of hurdles and victories, often unbeknownst to those around us.

I firmly believe that everyone is capable of and most will reciprocate unconditional kindness, even if not at first. In my experience, initial barriers or walls people put up are often a result of defenses built over time. However, when confronted with consistent, genuine kindness, for many these walls begin to crumble. This will not always be the case. Persevering in kindness is crucial even in the face of non-reciprocation or outright rejection. It’s a testament to our character and the kind of person we choose to be. By choosing to continue to be kind we not only spread positivity but also strengthen our own resilience and moral compass. It’s not about how others react but about who we decide to be in any given circumstance. If I hope for understanding and patience from others, I must offer it freely as well. And in doing so, I’ve found that the world becomes a slightly brighter, warmer place—one where kindness begets kindness in a beautiful cycle.

Growing up in Andover, located in the Greater Boston Area, I spent my earliest years in a town that was home to beautiful autumnal colors, harsh winters, and long-awaited springs. Windy roads run through the town canopied by trees, reminding me that the town sprang up from cowpaths and haphazard expansion. I grew to love the cold so when looking for colleges I told my parents that my only requirement was that there needed to be snow. The universe clearly had other plans for me, as I ended up at Stanford.

Part of transitioning to Stanford meant opening a window to a larger, more diverse world. Nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford offered not just academic rigor, but a melange of ideas, backgrounds, and experiences. Every person whom you stop and chat with on the sidewalk or see playing Spikeball in The Oval comes from a different place with unique interests and passions. Although I will admit Bay Area CS Majors are in high supply.

As I was growing up, it wasn’t just my surroundings that influenced me, but the people closest to me who played key roles. My love of words came early, with a mom who used to be a journalist and a dad with a voracious appetite for books. Once I turned 7 and made an email account my mom would proofread everything I would send. When I was young, my dad introduced me to The Last Dragon, The Hobbit, and the Warlock of Gramarye series. I love playing with words now, finding the most exciting way to describe a mundane situation or verbally jousting with friends. 

One game that I have seen played often since coming to college is guessing based on someone’s personality whether they are the oldest, middle, youngest, or only child. I was lucky to grow up perfectly placed. With an older brother, I benefited from watching him go through classes and reach milestones a year ahead of me, knowing in advance who the most challenging teachers were and having him drive me to and from school. During these 45 minute car rides we would talk about our days, our teachers, our family, what we were looking forward to or what we worried about. 

Given that we were driving back and forth from an all-boys school I was also particularly grateful to have a twin sister. She has always pulled me out of my shell and pushed me to grow. As little kids, we were inseparable and have often found ways to bring together our lives and friends. We did, however, butt heads a lot too. Whether it was over a game of Sorry! or who would get the last piece of dessert we have also worked to put aside small scuffles to keep a strong relationship. I am grateful for the model of compassion she has shown me, and grateful that we can always count on the other person to crack a joke or listen and empathize when we need it.

My family has also shaped my values. 

The values that sit at the heart of how I try to go through the world are curiosity, enthusiasm, and trust. 

Our world and the people in it have so much that we can learn from through curiosity. By asking questions and pursuing our curiosities we can find new passions, friends, or answers. Questions play a central role in my life, and nothing is more energizing than a great new question. 

Enthusiasm can propel us through life. I can often be found dancing or humming as I brush my teeth, or happily singing Adele’s “Rolling in The Deep” off-tune as I drive around. As Kevin Kelly noted in 68 Pieces of Unsolicited Advice, “Being enthusiastic is worth 25 IQ points”. If you can energize those around you through your enthusiasm, all the better. 

Lastly, trust is at the heart of everything we do with others. Trusting others can lead to open and vulnerable conversations, new and exciting experiences, and perhaps most importantly to strong and supportive communities. It is also important to remember that if we do not have our word we have nothing. A single lie discovered is enough to create doubt in every truth expressed.

My cultural roots have played a pivotal role in shaping my beliefs and values. As a Jew, I have grown up in communities that place an emphasis on “Chesed” — translated as loving-kindness. Chesed is not just a concept, but a call to action, urging us to extend compassion and understanding not only to those within our community but to the entire world.

The itch of curiosity led me to explore blogging. It felt like a new frontier, another space where I could channel my thoughts and share more about myself than in small talk or everyday conversation. Through a variety blog, I can dive into subjects with the depth and detail they deserve without limiting myself to a specific niche. In broad strokes I will plan to explore my takeaways related to class or academic content, reactions to specific events or reflecting on personal experiences, and general musings or other stories about me.

And as I navigate my college years and young adult life, this blog will stand as a time capsule. A place to capture current reflections, and in the future, a mirror to gauge how far I’ve come. I am excited to look back on these posts as I grow and change and invite you to read or write along with me.