Every November, I slow down to notice what’s real and what’s healing, growing, and changing shape inside me. This year, gratitude feels deeper. Through grief and creativity, I’ve found renewal in an unexpected partnership with AI. Writing with ChatGPT has become a daily ritual of curiosity, reflection, and joy. It’s helped me rediscover my voice and my purpose. This post is a love letter to slowing down, staying open, and letting gratitude become your quiet power.

Even when my labs told a different story, super high cholesterol, osteoporosis, and clogged arteries, I realized that true boundaries aren’t just about protecting time, but also about protecting health. Saying yes to tests, second opinions, and aligned care is leadership in action, because boundaries safeguard not only our energy but our very aliveness.

Happiness isn’t performance or perfection. It’s presence. What happens when you stop chasing and start listening to your own inner compass?

I canceled my retreat, and it wasn’t burnout, failure, or fear. It was something deeper. What happens when the person leading restoration needs it most? This might be your permission to pause, too.

Remember when summer felt like freedom? Somewhere along the way, we stopped letting it be that simple. This year, what if you gave yourself permission to slow down, say no, and truly rest? This is your reminder to own your summer — not just survive it. Read on and let’s get back to what really matters.

I’ve been guiding leaders through deep transformation for over 30 years. So why did I decide to get certified as a coach—now? Not because I needed new tools. But because I wanted to challenge myself… and see what might shift. What happened surprised me—and confirmed something big. This work I do? It’s hard to label. But it changes lives. Curious? I share it all here.