Not long ago, I found myself staring at my phone, heart racing, fingers hovering above the keyboard. I had put off writing a response for days because, deep down, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. Setting boundaries never feels simple for me. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. I don’t want to come across as unkind. And yet, I also know my needs matter and if I don’t honor them, who will?

Recently, I found myself walking through the old barns on the farm with my brother Jeff. The air carried that familiar scent of weathered wood, rust, and hay soaked into the walls over decades of storms, laughter, and long summer days. Jeff is preparing for a sale, letting go of some items the farm no longer needs, tools and treasures that have held their place for over a hundred years.

Recently, I had the opportunity to step into a whole new world: grape harvesting at DC Estate Winery in South Beloit, Illinois. Nestled in the rolling countryside where Illinois and Wisconsin meet, this Tuscan-inspired winery offers more than wine, it offers connection, community, and the beauty of slowing down.

Sometimes life’s sweetest surprises come when we say yes to something new. Last November, my friend Marilyn invited me to join her weekly Mahjong group. I had heard of the game before but never played. To be honest, I wasn’t sure my brain was up for learning something so complicated, but I decided to take a chance. That “yes” became the beginning of new friendships, plenty of laughter, and even a deeper bond with my sister.

Have you ever had an experience that left you both breathless and grateful all at once? That was me in Dubrovnik, Croatia, suspended 165 feet (50 meters) in the air at Dinner in the Sky, a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that combined fine dining, panoramic beauty, and a dash of courage.

Over a year ago, two of my girlfriends reached out with an invitation that sounded straight out of a travel magazine, “Would you like to spend a week on a yacht in the Adriatic Sea, sailing to Croatia and its islands?” My first thought? Croatia? Honestly, it wasn’t even on my bucket list. The cost seemed steep, and I couldn’t quite picture myself there. My automatic response was a hesitant no.

Some days are meant to test your patience, your sense of humor, and your ability to go with the flow, literally. Back in July, my friend Trina invited me and my daughter Hannah to see Teddy Swims in concert along the beautiful lakefront of Lake Michigan. We had Teddy on repeat for weeks, belting out his soulful songs in anticipation of what we thought would be an unforgettable musical night. Little did we know, it would turn into an unforgettable adventure.

Have you been feeling a little stuck lately? Maybe bored or even frustrated with where you are in life, not completely unhappy, but sensing there’s more waiting for you beyond the routine? That whisper inside you saying, “There’s something else, something better.”

Recently, my day began with sunshine and promise. I had a new local airport shuttle service, and everything seemed to be falling into place. We zipped to O’Hare airport lickety-split, with check-in complete, luggage weighed, boarding pass in hand and CLEAR sign-up complete, I had time to sit at the gate with two friends I was traveling with. We chatted with excited anticipation, ready for our adventure to begin. But oh… how quickly things can change.

If I asked you right now, “How are you doing?” I mean really doing, what would your honest answer be? Would you smile and say, “I’m good,” even if you’re barely holding it together? Would you whisper, “I feel stuck,” and afraid to admit you’ve been standing still for far too long? Or maybe, just maybe, you’d boldly declare, “I’m ready and I’m already on the path to transformation.”