I waited way too long to bet on myself after I was actively recruited for 5 internal promotions and then rejected for every one. That experience opened me up to new possibilities and I ultimately took a role with another company, catapulting me to a VP position within 17 months.

Sometimes our greatest redirection begins with what feels like rejection. When my position was eliminated, I was faced with uncertainty. Instead of holding on to what I had lost, I chose to surrender it to God. I let go, and I let God. In the quiet, I discovered that His plans were far greater than my own. What seemed like an ending became the beginning of a new purpose, including the privilege of co-authoring and publishing Gifts of Love: Friendship, Faith and the God who holds it all together. Jeremiah 29:11 has been my anchor through every challenge: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." If you're navigating an unexpected transition, remember that setbacks can become divine setups. Trust the process, keep the faith, and remain open to where God is leading you.

Remember when you were first job hunting that professional career? The "No, not enough experience." was the answer most likely to be heard. The path to success is not found in the yes, but the fortitude to keep going and the willingness to learn and adapt along the way.

My daughter's death pushed me to focus on my mission to help military families while going to counseling/brain retraining 3-4 a week for over a year. I could have stayed in bed depressed in that dark hole, but I knew I was the ONLY person who could make me do anything, so I focused on getting healthy and a mission to help those who give us FREEDOM ✌️🇺🇸🙏

I've learned that resilience isn't about avoiding disappointment; it's about choosing to remain curious, adaptable, and faithful to your vision. Today, I don't measure success by whether everything goes according to plan. I measure it by who I'm becoming in the process and the impact I'm able to create because I was willing to keep going.

The plans that fell apart taught me that purpose is often born from pain. Losing my husband, walking through grief, and watching doors close didn't end my story. They redirected me to a calling of helping others heal, proving that God's detours are often His greatest assignments.

I was just starting out in private practice. I joined another practice and the owner was difficult. My Mother died and no compassion. I left the practice and decided to go on my own. The owner sued me for breach of contract and lost. Multiple lessons in business dynamics that were not taught in graduate school. This experience launched my own practice which grew with other colleagues with a supportive business model. The practice grew for 25 years and was sold and has now been sold again, the business model is intact today.

Years ago, I applied for multiple leadership roles I wanted, and was fully qualified for, and didn't get them. At the time, it felt like a door slamming shut on everything I'd worked for. But looking back, I can see it was redirection, not rejection. Those "no's" pushed me to start applying for higher positions, ones that stretched me further than I thought I was ready to handle. And eventually, I landed a role that challenged me in ways the original ones never would have. The lesson I carry with me now: don't let one closed door convince you to stop knocking on bigger ones. Keep applying for the roles that scare you a little, the ones that feel like a reach. You might just get them, and discover you're capable of so much more than you ever gave yourself credit for.