As I sit on the bleachers, watching my daughter at her very first select volleyball tournament, I can’t help but marvel at the stark contrast between her perception of the game and my own memories of the sport. Every time she makes a play, misses a play, cheers for her teammate, or takes her turn on the bench, I’m reminded of a time when competition meant something entirely different to me. Where they see a friendly rivalry and an opportunity to learn, I recall a fierce battle and a race against my own insecurities. The butterflies in my stomach aren’t from excitement, but from confronting the game through fresh eyes.
It’s 2023, and if there’s one constant in our world, it’s change. And oh, how change can be terrifying! It nudges us out of our comfort zones, forces us to confront our biases, and often asks us to take steps that feel misaligned with where we thought our path was headed. I’ve personally walked the rocky path of lateral career moves, venturing into the unknown world of entrepreneurship, and even taking steps into an entirely new industry. But what seemed like regressions were, in reality, a re-calibration of my journey, bringing personal alignment and growth.
Embracing positivity during these shifts has been my lifeline. In a world that’s continuously evolving, positivity isn’t just about being happy or optimistic. It’s about accepting, appreciating, and harnessing change to propel us forward. It’s about shedding the weight of judgment and letting go of the shroud of shame that often accompanies our missteps.
Imagine, for a moment, a world where positivity is the cornerstone of our existence. A world where we viewed challenges not as deterrents but as opportunities. Where we collectively believed that in spite of the tumult, we’re all being looked after and that every experience is designed to elevate us.
If you’re in the throes of struggle, feeling resistance pressing down on you from all sides, here’s a revelation: that resistance is the most beautiful gift you could ask for. It’s an invitation – a golden ticket, if you will – to explore, learn, let go, and most importantly, to grow.
Our journeys, however, are not all unicorns and rainbows. Just like the song goes, “thank you for sunshine, thank you for rain… thank you for joy, thank you for pain.” Life, in all its rawness, offers a tapestry of experiences, each thread essential in weaving the magnificent story that is our existence.
As a 40-year-old woman navigating the twisty turns of a major life shift, I’ve played multiple roles: the victim and the victimizer, the student and the teacher, the boss and the employee, the child and the mother. But today, I stand in a place of vulnerability, acknowledging that there’s still so much to learn. My heart overflows with gratitude for every experience, every lesson, and every person who has been a part of my journey.
So, as we march into the future, let’s do so with wonder, awe, and deep appreciation. Let’s laugh at life’s quirks and revel in its beauty, knowing that the journey, though punctuated with both sunshine and storms, is nothing short of magical. And just a heads up, if you see me at the next volleyball game, baseball field, women leadership or entrepreneur event, or on a date with my husband, you might catch me meditating in the outfield, pacing in anxiety for my kid’s next play, or deeply connecting to another’s life passion. Because WHY NOT? It’s time to embrace life in all its glorious unpredictability!
Cheering for your happiness, joy, pain, peace, and glory in all of it, today and always!
Kelly Daubach, ACC, RD