and had decided that 43T is an almost magical mix of elements that make it work for me.

One part is the public commitment to a goal. I really really really HATE to “give up” on something. So I consider it before I put it on the list, and then I work hard to make it happen.

The other part, the really magic part, is the connection to other people who are also working on their goals. I’ve made some dear friends here, and this builds into my motivation: I want to succeed for them and with them and enjoy our successes and what we learn along the way.

Well, I’d been thinking all this, and then I log on here and oh my gosh, Mahinui and Flirt had cooked up a tiki party to celebrate my almost-done thesis! So there you go, Exhibit A.

The big thing for me has been that I’ve been engaged in a huge task over the past few years, this rabbinical school thing, and it has taught me a lot of things about myself. One thing I truly didn’t know six years ago was how lonely I could get, living far from my two sons and my best friend (now sweetie) Catattack. I first logged on here one evening when I couldn’t stand to be by myself and was just looking for distraction on the Net. There was a rather icky little piece in salon.com, and I thought, gee, can it be that bad? And checked it out. The rest is history.

I know it sounds silly, but I don’t know I’d have been able to hang in on this long-term project had I not been able to check in here at any crazy hour to look for a little encouragement, and to be reminded that I’m not the only person in the world working on a challenge or dealing with troublesome feelings.

Thank you all so much for making your lists, and having silly avatar games, and telling what it is really like to struggle along the road to goals that mean a lot to you. I know I’m a better person for having spent time here.