I recently celebrated my 51st birthday. As you reach a certain age, you begin to reflect on your life with a fresh perspective and a little more wisdom. Today I have a calm confidence towards tackling new opportunities and challenges. A younger version of myself would have felt frustrated and even angry in the face of failures, setbacks, and challenging situations. I can still vividly recall that impulsive and impatient version of me.

What I failed to realize at that time, was that the most triumphant moments in my life were all made possible by an initial setback or obstacle. In every instance, I can pinpoint the distinguishing factor from my previous experiences which ultimately became a distinctive advantage in a grander undertaking. Without those setback moments, I would have never had the advantage and experience that I bring to the table now.

At this moment, a failure, setback, or challenge may feel overwhelming. However, I firmly believe that each one of these situations is a stepping stone toward an opportunity that may not be visible yet. When the universe presents us with that opportunity, we are equipped with a distinctive and invaluable perspective, having successfully overcome challenging times. We can now share our wisdom, derived solely from our personal experiences, for we have been prepared to shine in that very moment.