Friday, March 20, 2026

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

Thursday, March 19, 2026

Alice’s Book Club – WINTER session of 2026

 The complete briefing will be available very soon. Thank you!

Sunday, March 8, 2026

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: 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 18th 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 memoiristessayistpoet, 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 
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

March 8, 2026: Happy INTERNATIONAL WOMEN's Day!

Today, on International Women’s Day (March 8, 2026), we honor not only the achievements of women worldwide but also their enduring strength, resilience and vision. Women have shaped the course of history through remarkable leadership, creativity and intellectual prowess, often in the face of systemic barriers.
Yet the work for equality remains unfinished – gender bias, underrepresentation and inequitable opportunities persist in every sphere of society.
This day is a call to recognize that women’s rights are human rights and that true progress depends on inclusive participation at every level.
Let us commit to fostering environments where girls and women can pursue education, leadership and innovation without constraint. By dismantling obstacles, amplifying voices and ensuring equitable access, we empower not only individuals but entire communities. In academia, business, politics and the arts, women demonstrate that excellence knows no gender, and every success is a reminder of what is possible when talent is nurtured and equity prioritized. On this day, it is important to be reaffirmed the dedication to a world where the potential of women is fully realized, where voices are heard, and where each action contributes to a more just, informed, and compassionate society. Let this be a moment to celebrate achievement, reflect on the work ahead, and inspire a future where equality is not aspirational but actual. Happy International Women’s Day!
În contextul Zilei Internaționale a Femeii, este esențial să reflectăm asupra progreselor realizate și asupra obstacolelor care rămân încă în fața egalității de gen.
Această zi reprezintă nu doar o celebrare a realizărilor femeilor în diverse domenii (de la știință și arte la politică și economie), ci și o invitație la acțiune pentru promovarea drepturilor și oportunităților echitabile. Cu toții recunoaștem contribuțiile esențiale ale femeilor la dezvoltarea intelectuală, socială și culturală a societății, subliniind în același timp necesitatea de a continua să construim medii incluzive și sustenabile pentru generațiile viitoare. 
Ziua Internațională a Femeii devine astfel un prilej de reflecție, apreciere și angajament pentru progresul colectiv.
 La mulți ani – mamă, fiică, iubită, bunică, soție...FEMEIE! 
”O femeie independentă râde fără să ceară permisiunea și iubește fără să aștepte ceva în schimb.”
● My previous posts on the same theme: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN's Day – 2025, 202420232022202120202019