Happy Girl on the Rise Wednesday,

Can you believe the holiday season is here already? I know, me neither. But what I do love about this time of year is that it’s the perfect time to reflect and look forward. Did I follow through on what I said I would do this year? If yes, what’s been the result? If no, where did I fall short and why? It’s easy to get caught up in the fast pace of the season, which is why I like to do my reflecting and planning a little bit early. That way, when the new year hits, I’m ready to roll! Maybe it’d be worth a try for you, too.

This week’s Girl on the Rise Newsletter is 650 words (2-minute read)

This week’s affirmation:

“I am not my pain. I am not my mistakes. I am the person who survived it and gets to decide what happens next.”

Two Types of People

I heard a story the other day about two brothers who were raised by an abusive father. When the brothers got older and had families of their own, one was abusive like his dad, and the other was kind and loving. And when the brothers were asked why they turned out the way they did, the abusive one said, “Look at how I grew up, how could I not become this?” and the kind and loving one said, “Look at how I grew up, how could I ever be like that?”

As I listened to this, I thought about the power of choice and how there are really two types of people: those who use their past as an excuse for why they can’t do better, and those who use it as a reason to do better.

Unfortunately, this world and other people can be cruel. We’ve all been hurt, disappointed, or let down. We’ve all had moments that broke us in ways we didn’t see coming. But what separates those who stay stuck from those who rise is how you choose to carry those moments forward.

Some people let their past become a cage. They let it be a story that keeps replaying and convinces them they can’t change, heal, or grow. I used to be that person.

Then there are the people who use their past as a classroom, where they collect lessons, build resilience, and a deeper sense of purpose. This is the person I chose to become.

Your past doesn’t define you. But it can refine you… if you let it.

The question is, are you using your past as an anchor or a launching pad?

Because while you can’t rewrite what happened, you can rewrite what it means for who you become next.

This Week’s Reflection:

This week, I invite you to ask yourself two questions:

1. What story have I been telling myself about my past?

2. How can I turn that story into fuel for growth?

Until next time, keep going and keep growing.

Coach Tay

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