"It wasn't meant to be"; "Everything happens for a reason";"Everything works out for the best in the end"

Forgive me but all of these sayings are a load of crap.  They are generally platitudes people say when they hear about another person's misfortune.  Don't misunderstand me.  I do believe that things generally work out well in the end.  However, all of these sayings are actually blaming fate instead of taking responsibility for what has happened and meeting the challenge with an equal and opposite reaction.

A few years ago, my sister challenged my way of thinking and asked me to answer a simple question:  where do you see yourself 5 years from now?  Through a battery of intrusive questions she helped me formalize my goals and determine the best strategies on how to get there.  At the time, I thought she was crazy as she reinvented herself and got out of her comfort zone.  Hey, I thought I was the big sister here and had all of the answers but she has been teaching me through her experiences.

When the opportunity came up for me to take a job in Seattle, I thought about the conversation we had several years ago and realized the dream she helped me create came true.  Was this fate?  No, it was living through a challenging time in my career and taking action.

My advice of the day:  when you get knocked down, get right back up and focus on how you will respond.  It is through times of trial where you will be admired for how you handled the situation.

I am spending my final weekend in Bonita Springs saying goodbye to my friends.  Last night, we had happy hour with HMA friends.  It is bittersweet to say goodbye.  I feel sad to move away from friends and family but excited at the same time about my next chapter.