Been a crazy start to the year so just a day behind! Don't worry - we are still going even if I fall off my sand surfing board!

Picture - Alexander Sand Surfing in the Desert of Israel

The Weekly Poll Results! 🎈

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Can you believe that it is 2023!?!? I simply can't believe how quickly time has been moving and saying that it is 2023 is WILD! Even though the new year was a week ago, I was wondering if we changed the New Year, when should it occur? It turns out, some of you thought it should remain on Jan. 1 but, most of you wanted to move it. Some thought the spring, some thought the start of the school year, and others thought the Jewish new year. It turns out that what won was THE SUMMER SOLSTICE! I always celebrate this day and I think you all should too!

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In The Headlines! 

• France started offering free condoms and free emergency contraceptives to people under 25 to help promote sexual health! A win! Read more here.
    

• A vaccine for cancer is currently in trials! This is a big deal! Read more here!

• In my life - I staffed a trip to Israel and it was a phenomenal 10-day trip where I met fabulous people. I am enjoying relaxing and taking a moment to just exist in the joy of it!

The news here might be small but, it was good news! If you want consistent good news updates, follow The Happy Broadcast on Insta! Want to be featured "In the Headlines" or have an article that you want to feature? Share your good news here to have it featured in the next newsletter!

Friendly Reminders and Affirmations

• Make a list of the things you love about yourself and whenever you start to get too in your head, read that back to yourself.

• Write yourself a letter for the start of 2024. It is a fun way to reflect every year and a nice new years tradition! It isn't too late to start!

• Sometimes you can't always see the growth you are making but, you are still growing. You might not be able to see it now but, in a few months, a year, or even 5 years you will see it.

Alex's Book, Show, and Music Corner

• Cruella: I rewatched Cruella on the plane ride and really enjoyed it again! It was fun and the costuming is phenomenal. Nothing really new these past two weeks, just some comfort rewatches!

What's Alex Working On?

Other News - Tel Aviv

Written while walking along the beach at 10:25pm staffing a Birthright Group entitled Passport control 

I walk the same path yet it is different. It is different because I’m different. I can’t help but begin to cry. I cry because I remember what this path and walk taught me. I remember the moment that I took when I had that first walk alone and sat in the discomfort of my own company. It was because I was afraid of who I was. I didn’t want to meet me. Now I yearn for a moment away just to be and exist with myself. I have found a friend within myself and am not afraid of who I ~might~ be. What I was once afraid of became one of the things I love most about myself. I walk this path today being able to express who I am and not who I thought I should be. Walking this path is like walking home. Walking home to myself and walking back to a place I used to call home. I am home. 

This Week's Newsletter Poll!

Regardless of when you think the new year should be, I hope everyone had a happy new year!! Did you make any fun new years resolutions? This next poll is brought to you by Helen (NY), what is the most cliche new years resolution?!

One more thing: Want to see your poll question in the newsletter? Submit your ideas here!