A few weeks ago, something happened that reminded me how central forgiveness is to strong leadership—not just as a personal value, but as a professional competency.

Someone bypassed protocol to raise a concern, and in doing so, brought with them frustration, intensity, and a tone that made it hard to hear their message.

I’ll be honest—at first, I was bothered. Not just by the intensity of the exchange, but by the decision to sidestep the normal process. It caught me off guard. And for a moment, I found myself wrestling with the very tension I coach others through:
Do I center the misstep or the human behind it?

She came to coaching to talk about her new executive role.

A sharp, strategic leader who had just stepped into the C-suite after years of building, navigating politics, and earning her seat at the table. On paper, she had everything she wanted. A powerful title. A strong team. Influence.

But as we began to explore what it meant to own this new chapter—what it meant to lead with presence, confidence, and clarity—something kept surfacing beneath the surface.

A relationship.
One that had ended a while ago.
Nothing dramatic. Nothing chaotic. Just… unfinished.

Over the past three months, I’ve stepped away from writing this blog. Professionally, life has been intense—demanding more of my time and energy than usual—and that disruption has affected my personal rhythm. The fast-paced changes at work have weighed heavily, creating moments that felt unexpectedly heavy.

Happy 2025! As I reflect on the goals I set for last year, I’ve been reviewing what I considered both successes and failures. Looking through my 2024 list, I felt not only excitement about the achievements but, more importantly, a deep sense of gratitude for the lessons learned from what I hadn’t accomplished—the so-called "failures."

It’s no secret that I’m highly goal-oriented. This trait has served me well as a leader, enabling me to plan for success while anticipating and preparing for unexpected challenges. Yet, recently, one of my projects veered completely off course—a shock that left me reeling for days.

As I stepped onto the sideboard and gripped the handle of the rented Ford Expedition to hoist my petite frame into the seat, my heart pounded. I knew what lay ahead: miles of stunning landscapes filled with golden aspen trees, fiery red sumac, and chokecherry bushes, along with steep curves at high elevations.

Have you ever stopped to think about what you're attached to in your life? It could be things, ideas, perceptions, outcomes, a job, routines, or even people.

Have you ever been caught in the spiral of a challenging day? The alarm doesn’t go off because the electricity is out, and not only can you not make coffee, but you are definitely late for a meeting with your boss.

Recently, I had a day that challenged me at every level. By the end of the day I went to bed feeling exhausted and sad. At that moment, in the silent darkness, I felt uneasy regarding how I navigated through what felt like a waterfall of complication and bad news. These thoughts spiraled into feelings of failure.

If you have read any of my previous blogs, you have heard me mention the proverbial life toolbox. I define it in my own life as a set of skills I have acquired or discovered over my personal journey as I design my own success.

Navigating rejection can be quite challenging.  Despite my extensive experience with this topic, it's something I've hesitated to discuss openly.  One of the more public rejections for me are moments scattered throughout my journey as a fundraiser. 

A little over a year ago, I began taking Spanish lessons twice a week with the goal of improving my communication skills, understanding the culture, and making friends during my time in Mexico. I desired a rich experience in every way.

As I begin to make the transition from the US to Mexico, I am struck by the stark differences between the two countries. Naturally, I find myself experiencing a range of emotions – from intrigue and happiness to sadness and fear – on a daily basis.

As much as I hate to admit it, more than one person has called me a perfectionist. It's been said to me by frustrated friends or lovers who watch me clean my home furiously, shop for the “perfect” gift, change my clothes several times before going out or when redoing my makeup multiple times because it just wasn't "quite right."

Welcome to the first edition of our ongoing blog series, "Life Canvas"! On the 15th of each month, we invite you to explore the multifaceted aspects of life and embark on a journey toward living the life you dream about. "LifeCanvas" is not just a blog; it's a guide to navigating the intricate tapestry of your existence.