When my Constellation Held Me

There was a season in my life when everything I had built came crashing down. The air felt heavy. The nights felt endless. Every title I had used to define myself, lawyer, leader, mother, achiever, suddenly meant nothing.

All that was left was me. Bare. Scared. Lost in uncertainty.

For the first time, I could not fix it. I could not control the outcome or push through by sheer willpower. I felt shame, guilt, and fear. But even in that darkness, light found me through the people who refused to let me disappear.

My parents showed me what unconditional love really means. My mother’s quiet prayers and my father’s steady faith carried me when I could not stand on my own. They never questioned my worth, even when I did.

My children, Kyler and Maya, gave me purpose when I had none. Their laughter pierced through the guilt. Their resilience reminded me that love can survive anything. I remember sitting beside them one night, tears streaming down my face, whispering, “I am still here.” They believed me. That belief became my lifeline.

My sister was my mirror. She told me the truth, even when it hurt. She refused to let me hide behind denial or self pity. Her fierce love pulled me out of darkness and back into growth.

And then there were my friends, my constellation of stars. Each one showed up in their own way. Some prayed. Some sat in silence. Some reminded me to laugh again. Together, they reflected back to me a truth I had forgotten. Grace is not something you earn. It is something you allow yourself to receive.

Leaning on them was not easy. I had always been the strong one. The one who carried others. But real resilience is not about holding everything together. It is about surrendering when life feels impossible and allowing yourself to be held.

That season taught me that rising is never a solo act. I did not rise because I was unbreakable. I rose because I was surrounded by people who refused to let me stay broken.

The Power of Connection and Courage

We often celebrate independence as strength, especially in leadership and business. But the truth is that courage lives in connection. The leaders who create real impact are the ones who know how to lean on others, to listen deeply, and to let their teams lift them when the weight gets too heavy.

Authentic leadership is not about standing alone. It is about building trust, fostering belonging, and knowing that shared strength leads to greater resilience.

When we allow others to see our struggle, we create space for connection, empathy, and transformation. That is where true growth begins.

Your Challenge to Rise

Think about the people who have carried you when you could not carry yourself. Write down their names. Call or message one of them this week. Tell them how they helped you rise.

Gratitude is more than a feeling. It is a practice that keeps us grounded and connected to the love that sustains us.

My Reflection

This week, I have been revisiting old journals and moments from that time in my life. My parents, my kids, my sister, my constellation of friends, each of them shaped my journey back to wholeness.

We rise not because we are invincible. We rise because we are surrounded by love that refuses to give up on us.

And that, more than anything, is what courage looks like.