As I reflect on another year gone by, a flood of thought-provoking Instagram posts and some recent conversations, I am reminded of the intricate tapestry of our lives—the twists, the turns, and the unexpected detours that mold us into the individuals we are meant to become. Our story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of growth.
Today, a simple check-in with a dear friend turned into a long, reflective conversation on life. Twelve years ago, work brought us together. Before we knew it, we were inseparable, until one day we were. We followed the flow of life and chased success in our careers to make something of ourselves. And we both did, in our own right, only to leave it all, but that's a different story for a different day. Somewhere along the way, we saw less and less of each other, but our paths crossed again almost a decade later during COVID with another “quick” check-in call.
So much time had passed, but it was like we didn’t skip a beat. In those years apart, we both weathered storms—lost loved ones, moved between states and countries, faced medical challenges, changed jobs, experienced heartbreaks, had awakenings… The ground beneath us had shifted, and while we weren’t beside each other during some of the toughest times we’ll probably ever experience, there’s an understanding and deep feeling of love and respect between us, and more importantly, a recognition of strength and resilience and validation that we weren’t the only ones.
Each time we speak now, what becomes more evident is that we have both gone through profound growth, in our professional lives, our personal lives, and as individuals. The growth didn’t come easily, though. The pain of life's trials has sculpted us into more empathetic, sensitive souls. In a world so connected, we couldn’t be more disconnected. The once-dominant traits of logic and analysis have taken a back seat to a deeper, more intuitive understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Sure… there are moments we wish we didn’t know better. We wish we could unsee and unknow what we do so we could live carefree. But that pain we’ve endured, the lessons we’ve learned, the things we’ve been shown—It’s so that we can shine that light for those who will face the same right behind us. We’re off the beaten path now, but one day a nice road will be built there that is familiar for everyone to walk.
To those who may be wrestling with pain or uncertainty, I extend the following words: Congratulations! Your endurance, your tenacity, and your ability to face discomfort head-on are preparing you for what lies ahead. The pain you've endured is not in vain; it's a catalyst for growth, a teacher guiding you toward a brighter tomorrow. So lean into it. Listen. Ask. What is it teaching you? Where is it calling you? How is it healing you?
Recently, I have been getting a visual of a circle. Inside the circle is the “known”. Outside the circle is the “unknown”. There’s a small break in the circle somewhere. In 2023, we’ve been walking along the edge of the circle, looking for the gap. Some have found it, but many of us have gotten a nudge that we’re playing small inside the circle. It’s time to drop the extra baggage so we can be light and squeeze through the gap to the other side of the circle. In 2024, we’re playing big on the outside of that circle, in the unknown. All the battles we’ve fought—some lost, some won—have made us stronger individuals to survive in that vast unknown. Now imagine the power of connecting all those individuals who have endured the tests of time and ventured out into the unknown… Reach out. Grab that hand searching in the dark. You might just be the missing piece of their puzzle, or them yours. One light bulb is bright enough to lighten up a room, but a bunch of them shining brightly together can be seen from another galaxy. The darkness of the unknown will shine so brightly, that even those sitting inside the circle with their eyes closed won't be able to deny what lies beyond that boundary.
As we navigate the unknown, let us embrace the wisdom of leaning into the discomfort, healing, and learning from the pain. One step at a time, one small act of courage after another, we pave the way for our dreams to become our reality.
So in the new year, reach out to your friends. Ask them how they’re doing… like how are they REALLY doing? Listen. Be there for them. Share with them. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. Everyone is going through something. Sometimes you need to be lifted and other times you will lift. AI might be replacing a lot, but it CANNOT replace human connection, creating memories, and growing, healing, and improving together.
Wishing you courage, resilience, and boundless growth.
Signing off from 2023 and wishing everyone an #unstoppable 2024! May your light shine brighter than it ever has!
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