Is it so bad to believe in miracles? Chanukah, my all-time favourite holiday, is the ultimate miraculous one. We won a battle against all odds, kicked the superpower out of the land of Israel and found the one tiny flask of oil that lasted for eight days.

Chanukah and I share a few miracles. First, I was born on Chanukah, on the exact same day of Chanukah as my Grandmother Leah, and we were both born on a Thursday. Perhaps that seems like a wonderful coincidence but not so miraculous – the odds of this happening are really one in seven and one in 365, which are pretty good, both in life and in Las Vegas!

Strangely enough, this year, both my Hebrew and my English birthday fall on the same day, the sixth night of Chanukah, and coincidentally, the actual day I was born was the sixth night of Chanukah.

So I am not going to spend my birthday in Las Vegas, although perhaps I should, as I do have a winning feeling. Chanukah 2009 is also special because it is in the last month of the last year of this decade.

So I thought I would spread out my eight Chanukah/birthday wishes for a whole lot of little miracles for the year to share with you.

First, a not-so-little miracle: a wish for world peace is a good place to start.

Second, perhaps a more realistic wish: plan a trip to Israel. How many of us want to go and can’t seem to find the time and money? A myriad of organizations exist that can help us plan. They might not pay for our plane ticket, but many volunteer organizations supply room and board.

Third: spend time with people we love. It’s so easy to be busy with everything and everyone except the truly important people. If you are lucky enough to have a loving family, make the time to go do a fun activity with your grandparents or other family members.

Fourth: go for your dreams. Try new activities. I’ve always wanted to learn to sing. It’s time to convert my days of singing in my bedroom, using my hairbrush as a microphone, into something a little less silly. I’m not sure the title rock star is in my immediate future, but why not at least learn the basics?

Fifth: speaking of music, open your ears, explore new music, go to a concert and listen to the greats such as Gustav Mahler, Irving Berlin and Leonard Bernstein. Check out young, new, talented recording artists such as Rob Holub and Alex Nachman. Music can always put a smile on my face, and it does wonders for most people. (www.robholubmusic.com and www.alexnackman.com)

Sixth: see the glass as half full. Realize that no matter what is going on in your life, millions of people have it worse. Stretch your heart and mind and help people in your community. Visit the elderly who might be spending the holidays alone. Mentor a foster child who needs to know love exists. Spend time visiting and playing with sick children in the hospital. You never know how a small act of kindness may change the world for someone.

Seventh: travel to a new place, even in your own hometown. Be creative – money might be an obstacle, but take a trip to the library where you can find new worlds in books and videos. The price is right and the experience is priceless.

Eighth: remember that sometimes dates, times and miracles do coincide, on a large scale and on a small one, too. So, this Chanukah, remember to pick your battles wisely. Gamble with a dreidel and with letting your guard down. Let positive new experiences, places and people flow into your life. Believe your dreams will come true and let the glow of the candles bring light, love, happiness and miracles into your life!

 Happy Chanukah!

 P.S. Thank you for being such faithful readers and supporters of my column. It would be great to hear from you. I can be reached at [email protected].