It’s Was a Rough Week
I’ve talked a lot on this blog about the actions and behaviors that make up the real pillars of success—awareness, willingness, values, intention, accountability, consistency.
But this week, I want to talk about something underneath all of that.
What separates those who achieve their version of success from those who blame everything and everyone around them?
Some call it perseverance. Others call it resilience. Some call it grit.
Whatever name you give it, it’s a combination of:
- Never giving up
- Reframing what happened
- Reinventing yourself when you have to
- A willingness to try something different and learn from past mistakes
Life is never fair. Things are always going to happen. That’s why our time on this earth is unknown—we just know it’s short.
So how is it that you can have two people who grew up in the same town, with the same education, the same teachers, and the same opportunities—and yet still have completely different outcomes?
A lot of it comes down to choice.
When those difficult things happen, do we let them control our lives? Or do we put in the work to figure out how to work with—or around—the problem?
2006: The Year My Life Flipped Upside Down
In 2006, my life fell apart.
The love of my life left me.
I totaled my brand new car.
I lost a baby.
I was hurt physically and couldn’t do my job anymore.
The months that followed were horrible—mentally, emotionally, physically. I wasn’t always at my best. I took up gaming to escape. I put up walls to keep people out.
But I also kept going through the motions to make sure life was taken care of. I paid my bills. I showed up. I made plans—even small ones—for a better future.
And by doing that, I found new stability. I found a new career. I found a version of myself I didn’t know existed.
I don’t wish that season on anyone. But it showed me that life has a way of auto-correcting and putting us on the path we’re meant to be on—as long as we allow it.
I’ve also seen others in similar situations get stuck. Fighting the change. Asking, “Why do bad things keep happening to me?”
And sometimes—not always—it’s a product of not taking action on the things that could change the outcome.
What That Season Taught Me
That terrible time period made me more resilient. It taught me how to face obstacles that would come later—and there have been many.
I’m not saying I did it perfectly. I had to get help. I wasn’t always strong. But I still planned for a better future. And each time something difficult came along after that, I figured out how to get through it—and how to not let it happen again.
That’s grit. That’s resilience. That’s perseverance.
Not because I’m special. But because I chose to keep moving, even when it felt impossible.
Why I Talk So Much About Grace and Kindness
All of this is one of the reasons I talk so much about grace and always being kind to others.
You never know what someone is going through.
You never know how one moment—just smiling, saying hi, or holding a door—can restore someone’s faith in humanity.
You never know if you’re the only kind interaction someone has had all week.
So be kind. Be gracious. And if you’re the one who needs kindness right now—let it in. Accept it. You deserve it.
If You’re Struggling Right Now
The first month of this year has been rough for a lot of people.
If you’re not feeling it right now, that’s okay.
Pause.
Regroup.
Take some breaths.
Do something you enjoy—even if it’s small.
And try to remember: this will pass, too.
Maybe not as fast as you want. Maybe not in the way you expect.
But it will pass.
And when it does, you’ll be stronger for having moved through it—not because you forced it, but because you kept showing up, one step at a time.
Until Next Week
Some weeks are harder than others. This one was rough.
But I’m still here. You’re still here.
And that counts for something.
Take care of yourself. Be kind to others. And remember—you’re not alone in this.
Until next week.
Authentic Evolution Journey 