April 2026: Happy EASTER!

EASTER (Pascha) – a special time that embodies renewal and reflection, marking a moment where history and faith converge. This reminds us that persistence through adversity can yield transformation, inviting both personal growth and communal hope. In its simplicity, Easter re-affirms the enduring power of life, forgiveness and the human capacity to embrace new beginnings.

Every  year, Easter is teaching us that life never ends & love never dies!

Also, at this time, early greetings to all my Romanian & Greek friends who will celebrate this holiday next week. 

💮 HAPPY EASTER! 💮 PAŞTE FERICIT! 💮 FROHE OSTERN! 💮 ΚΑΛΌ ΠΆΣΧΑ! 💮 JOYEUSES PÂQUES! 💮 BUONA PASQUA! 💮

În această perioadă a Paștelui, contemplarea simbolurilor tradiționale și a re-înnoirii spirituale ne invită la o reflecție mult mai adâncă asupra sensului renașterii și al speranței. Noi cu toții deja știm că această ocazie specială a anului nu este doar o sărbătoare ce ține de spiritualitate, ci și un moment de reconectare cu valorile fundamentale ale existenței: compasiunea, solidaritatea și reînnoirea personală. Prin actul sincer de introspecție și prin implicarea activă în comunitate, putem înțelege mult mai bine atât profunzimea credinței, cât și responsabilitatea noastră de a contribui la armonia colectivă. Această perioadă ne amintește că fiecare gest de bunătate și fiecare clipă de reflecție contribuie la un ciclu continuu de regenerare și speranță.

● My previous greetings on the same theme: EASTER – 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

March 20, 2026: SPRING Equinox & World Happiness Day

The Spring Equinox marks a moment of poised balance and renewal, urging us to awaken potential and embrace new beginnings with clarity and purpose.

As the day and night stand equal, the Equinox exemplifies nature’s quiet equilibrium, and a great reminder that growth and transformation occur within cycles of balance. In this interval, we are invited to shed the inertia accumulated over the winter, and begin nurturing our projects and dreams like seeds awaiting the sun.

May we each be able to allow this season to inspire deliberate action, such as: attending to inner life with care, cultivating patience and permitting new opportunities to unfold naturally. Just as the earth awakens in gradual, measured rhythms, our own progress thrives when aligned with natural timing. The Equinox teaches us that transformation is neither sudden nor forced, but rather it is a steady development, guided by attention, intention and sincerity extended to the changing light.

“Spring awakens the soul, like a song that stirs the heart, reminding us that we are alive.”

● Short scientific background on SPRING EQUINOX:

“Spring Equinox” is an astronomical event, nearly noticed by everyone, when the day and night are almost of an equal length, marking the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere; this is commonly regarded as the instant of time when the plane (extended indefinitely in all directions) of Earth's equator passes through the center of the Sun. This is one of the four seasonal turning points, when the strength of the old goes into the new as the power of life blossoms with grace while Nature springs again to LIFE.

On March 20, 2026, the entire world is also observing the International Day of Happiness,
 and this year’s theme is: Keep Calm, Stay Wise, Be Kind.

On this International Happiness Day, it is vital to recognize that happiness is not merely an ephemeral emotion, but rather a measurable condition of well-being that permeates individual and societal functioning. Empirical studies in psychology and neuroscience consistently demonstrate that positivity correlates with enhanced cognitive performance, resilience and social cohesion. Pursuing happiness, therefore, is not an indulgence ... it is a rational investment in the quality of our lives and the communities we inhabit. As we cultivate gratitude, meaningful connections and purposeful engagement, we generate conditions that sustain durable contentment. Let this day serve as a reminder that happiness thrives where awareness and intention intersect: when we actively choose practices that strengthen empathy, foster cooperation and promote mental and physical health. By treating the pursuit of happiness as both an ethical and pragmatic endeavor, we affirm that personal fulfillment and societal well-being are inextricably linked.

"True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new." (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)

● My previous posts on the same themes: 
SPRING Equinox & World Happiness Day – 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

Alice’s Book Club – WINTER session of 2026

Before the current winter is completely over in our part of the world, on Thursday (March 19’26) I organized my first book club of the year (the winter session of 2026), together with my group selecting the book we will discuss next, followed by an effective brainstorming regarding other educational subjects, which we might like to touch on during our future gatherings. Lovely company, uplifting energy and a wealth of fantastic ideas made this meeting truly awesome….stay close to us to learn more about our reading “adventures”, as well as the new concepts I will implement in a timely fashion.

On the other hand, while at this page, I would like to quickly refresh few valuable points scholars usually emphasize in their papers about the benefits of reading
(in essence, why it helps to read at least a bit every day):

- Reading books allow readers to gain better insights into human nature (you could gain interesting and helpful knowledge that never can be taken away from you)

- Readers become more sensitive to the emotions of other people, quality which seems to disappear in today’s world

- Good literature of any language improve and expand the comprehension skills; also, at the same time, by considering all the aspects involved, you could become even more versed with your critical and analytical thinking (the more skills you have, the better equipped you are to face the challenges that sometimes life might present). Additionally, a well written novel could 'transport' you to different places, while an engaging article might distract or keep you in the present moment allowing relaxation to occur. 

- A book always stimulates the brain (amazingly enough, through reading new brain pathways are created and the existing ones become even stronger, facts that assist with the short-term memory recalls as well as mood stabilization).  

As usual, my most sincere appreciation to those who honored my invitation! Until we meet again, my best regards to all for a beautiful spring to come!

Alice 

“READING – that place where you’re by yourself, but you are never alone.”

Socializing: 2026 – INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’s Day

On Tuesday (March 8, 2026) I organized for ALICE & Friends Circle™ the annual reunion, celebrating the International Women’s Day.

At this gathering, before we did proceed with the prepared agenda, we held a moment of silence to honor the memory of our dear friend,
Ms. Marcela Trandafir, who recently transitioned. Ms. Trandafir was part of our Circle, a wonderful human being – an inspiring model of grace, discretion, wisdom and devotion. Generally speaking, such moments allow people to be reflective and revisit dear memories, and definitively... such moments instantly make you feel more in tune with those around you, allowing for a deeper community connection.

 Without any doubt, she will be deeply missed by many!

Then our evening nicely continued with the chosen theme of the day…this time, the program was featuring a very special keynote speaker – Ms. Celestina Popa (Celestina Popa Gymnastics), who is a distinguished Romanian artistic gymnast, World and Olympic medalist. Ms. Popa generously shared with the group a number of significant concepts about sports, discipline, resilience, endurance, creativity, non-stop learning and adaptability.

Also, my distinguished guest was Hon. Ştefana Rotaru, Deputy Consul General and Minister Plenipotentiary of Romania in Canada, who nicely congratulated this initiative, and expressed her appreciation for the ongoing commitment of our Circle to promote the Romanian values, arts and culture.

The event, held via modern technology, allowed the attendees to engage with the speaker and the guest of honor in a very pleasant manner. 

For this occasion, 27 persons confirmed attendance, plus 5 were pending, but after all we ended up being only 17 people.

Our extensive group conversations were heart-felt and to the point, highlighting the importance of recognizing the ongoing contributions of women in shaping society, while reinforcing the message that women’s voices and stories are central to a more sustained cultural and social development…only collective action could drive to really meaningful changes in the world. The gathering was concluded on a warm note, wishing each-other only the best for the spring that’s yet to come!

Until next time, my warmest regards dear ladies, and once again: Happy International Women’s Day!

● For your edification, here are some facts about my key note speaker for this evening – Ms. Celestina Popa:

– Celestina received the "Master of Sports" Decoration, and in 2013 she became an honorary citizen of the Romanian city, Ploiești.

– Here are a few video clips featuring Celestina Popa at Worlds Gymnastics Championships & Olympics:

Ø  Celestina Popa: 1985 - World Gymnastics Championships 

Ø  Celestina Popa: 1987 – World Rotterdam; team optional for women (her floor exercise)

Ø  Celestina Popa: 1988 – Seoul Olympics (her floor performance)

Ø  Celestina Popa: 1988 – Seoul Olympics (her beam performance)

Ø  Celestina Popa: 1988 – Seoul Olympics (her unequal parallel bars performance)

Ø  Celestina Popa: 1988 – Seoul Olympics (her gymnastic vaulting performance)

● Personalities: since the focus of this meeting was International Women’s Day, here I’m glad to share with you some famous women who changed the world.

✰ Few prominent ROMANIAN WOMEN:

– Hariclea Darclée (1860 – 1939): was a famous and talented Romanian opera singer…the first female singer that had a lead role written especially for her  

– Cella Serghi (1907 – 1992): was a Romanian writer, publicist and translator

– Irina Burnaia (1909 – 1997): was a Romanian lawyer, best known for he works as an aviator…she was the first female pilot to fly across the Carpathian Mountains.

✰ Few prominent WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD: 

– Jane Austen (1775 – 1817): was an English writer, primarily known for her 6 novels, which implicitly interpret, critique and comment on the English landed gentry at the end of the 18^th century (Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Northanger Abbey). She wrote at a time when female writers were not encouraged, helping pave the way for future writers.

– Simone de Beauvoir (1908 – 1986): was a French existentialist philosopher, writer, social theorist, and feminist activist. Though she did not consider herself a philosopher, nor was she considered one at the time of her death, she had a significant influence on both feminist existentialism and feminist theory.

– Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014): was an American multitalented memoirist, essayist, poet, and civil rights activist; she received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees. Best known for her acclaimed 1969 memoir “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”.

● Our PRESS RELEASE featuring International Women's Day 2026, and published on the official social-media platform of our Circle 
● Additional Quick PRESS RELEASE featuring a subsequent event with Ms. Celestina Popa, and published on the official social-media platform of our Circle 

● Previous events I organized on the same theme: Socializing – INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’s Day: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

● Some of my additional greetings referring to the same matter: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN's Day! – March 8: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019