I had to learn to receive all criticism as constructive, to chew the meat and spit out the bones. Some words carried wisdom I needed, and some I had to release without letting them define me. Everything spoken over me was not meant to break me; some of it was meant to refine me. I also had to learn to face the hard questions, because what you avoid today, you will have to confront tomorrow. True growth came when I stopped running from discomfort and allowed it to develop my strength, wisdom, and faith. Growth requires honesty, courage, and the willingness to confront what hurts. Most of all, I had to stop being afraid to pray honestly. I had to check myself and say, 'Girl, how are you afraid to tell the One who knows all, sees all, heals all, and restores all?' God already knew what I was carrying. He was simply waiting for me to come to Him so He could heal me, strengthen me, and lead me forward. That is how I learned to process criticism without letting it shake my confidence.

I was seven months postpartum when my dad lost his battle with suicide. A few months later, as the shock wore off, I was confronted with a dialectical reality: I was both loved and left. Learning to hold opposing truths simultaneously gave me a choice in where I place meaning. I choose the perspective that helps me grow, even when reality is uncomfortable. This mindset has allowed me to take something that could have destroyed me and transform it into purpose, direction, and momentum. I can be doing my best and still have room for improvement, as both can be true. I aim for realism in assessing my abilities and understand that not every opinion about my performance will be accurate; however, the ones that are will help me grow. I've learned to receive what is useful and release what is not, trusting that what truly matters will continue to surface.