Sometimes there's no better way to start off a New Year than with some inspiration. Actually, inspiration at any time in our lives is a good thing. In this "Tip," we're presenting the embodiment of inspiration - a person who wasn't afraid of a little perspiration along the way.

There are some who talk. There are those who do. And there are some who do too much. Both of us have worked for some of San Diego's renaissance women: Mayor Maureen O'Connor, Ingrid Croce and Deborah Szekely. Women who didn't have a single idea that wasn't worthy to pursue. Women who pursued with a tenacity that will blow your mind. They bucked the system. They all made bucks. Lots of bucks. They invested in San Diego and San Diego changed because of them.

Earlier in our careers, these women blew our minds and inspired us. We broke bread with them. We burned the midnight oil (too often) with them, and we learned more from them than words could ever describe.

The "Queen Bee" is Deborah Szekely. After 87 years, it is safe to say, the mold was tossed when she was born. We don't even have enough room to pay proper homage except offer the Reader's Digest version. She's been named "Woman of the Year", "Benefactor of the Year", "Volunteer of the Year" by national organizations. She's been on more national and local boards and commissions then probably anyone. She founded Combined Arts and Education Council (COMBO) which raised millions and millions of bucks for 21 cultural organizations. In 1978, COMBO raised over $6 million to rebuild the Old Globe Theatre. She's been the President and CEO of the Inter-American Foundation which supported the self-help programs for the poor in Latin America and the Caribbean. And she was the U.S. Delegate to UNESCO. We could go on, but we trust that you can get the picture.

Finally, after many years of dreaming big, in 2008 Deborah opened the New Americans Museum and Learning Center at Liberty Station. Her vision was to open a museum that would bridge the understanding of cultural differences.

That would all be enough. Really.

San Diegans and many folks around the world know Deborah for her indelible mark on San Diego. What she is most known is founding Rancho la Puerta in Tecate, Mexico (45 minutes directly east of San Diego) in 1940 - and the Golden Door in Escondido in 1958. These two world-class top ranking spas/retreats set the standard for health spas worldwide. And yes, both will set you back financially but you 'd have peace of mind spending it.

What most people don't know is that the Szekely family has also had a philanthropic arm to Rancho la Puerta. Fundacion la Puerta, in short, supports environmental, social and educational projects in the Tecate and border area.

Rancho la Puerta

In 2007, with yet another dream to realize, Deborah and Rancho la Puerta opened the La Cocina Que Canta. It is a 4500 square foot culinary center in the middle of a 6-acre organic farm. Folks can plunk down some dough and get an incredible experience learning how to cook with fresh organic ingredients right from the farm land surrounding the building.

Deborah Szekely lives within walking distance from the Spruce Street Bridge in San Diego. She still runs the show at Rancho La Puerta. Whatever show she has ...she runs it.

Deborah doesn't sit waiting for things to happen. She makes them happen. She is a force of nature.

Click below if you are interested in buying:

Cooking with the Seasons at Rancho La Puerta: Recipes from the World-Famous Spa (Hardcover)