I lost 5 pounds. On paper, it’s not earth-shattering — but for me, it marked an internal shift that had been years in the making. See, I’ve been trying (and failing) to lose some unneeded weight for what’s felt like forever. The harder I tried, the more elusive it felt. What’s finally worked? More sleep. Less stress. And... surrender. It wasn’t about diet or exercise — it was about surrendering a way of being that no longer served me. Over three years ago, when I launched COSMO Advantage, I went all-in. Ninety-plus-hour weeks. Eyes open in early morning and late into the night… A Mind full of vision. And if if I'm honest, a soul clenched in fear. In turn… a body full of cortisol. Cortisol is the stress hormone. When it spikes, your body clings to fat—convinced it's in survival mode. And I was living in survival mode . What was I so afraid of? Failure. Letting my family down. My team. Everyone who believed in us. That the risks we were taking would bury us. That maybe… my faith, experience, and skills weren’t enough to meet the vision God placed before me. Looking back, I can see it clearly now: I was operating from an orphan mentality — this deep-rooted belief that I had to do it all, figure it all out, carry it all alone. And in the quiet moments, I’d hear the Lord whisper: “Honey, you’re diminishing yourself.” Over and over, He spoke those gentle words to me. I responded like a good farm girl: Just a little more hustle. A little more sacrifice. Then I’ll rest. Then… came the crash. Then a reset. Now? I’m still learning—and I’m moving forward with a different spirit. One that metaphorically walks with open hands, not clenched fists. The risks haven’t changed — but I have. I’ve reclaimed wisdom. Reconnected my body, soul, and spirit. I’m remembering that I’m not alone — and never was. And in a posture of surrender, real transformation is happening — showing up in my health, and in many other ways. There are opportunities ahead that feel God-ordained — spaces where our leader and coach development services can truly empower a wider net of individuals, even whole organizations, communities, and industries. I’m anticipating breakthroughs… and I can’t wait to share them. Leaders — if you’ve ever felt like you had to carry it all alone, I feel you. There is another way. We’d be honored to walk alongside you — or support your team — as you discover more effective ways to accomplish your goals. If you’re curious about what that support could look like, ​schedule a time here​ .

Forgiveness has a special power to keep us growing and moving forward together, toward the visions and missions that matter to us. Let’s take a moment to think about how Jesus created cultures of forgiveness and growth, even when His followers were at their "worst." Friend, when we lead or manage teams long enough, we get to see people at their best... and their worst. The best moments in our workplaces, homes, and faith communities are truly thrilling. But those worst moments? They can be pretty tough. Sometimes they can even make our blood boil. By the worst, I mean anything from complaining and negligence to outright betrayal. If you've been in leadership long enough, you know what I mean. So, what should we do when we encounter the worst in people? Believe the Best! Believe they are capable of so much more. 💪 Believe they can make better choices. 🌟 Believe they, as a human, are more important than the problems they have created . 🤝 Jesus, our Master Leader, modeled this when He saw and believed the best in people, even when those closest to Him showed up at their worst. Remember how He responded to Peter’s betrayal? Peter was devastated by how he had failed his friend, something he never thought he was capable of doing. Jesus understood Peter's dismay and shame. And Jesus looked past his betrayal—into the future and into Peter's potential. He moved toward Peter to restore their relationship. Jesus loved Peter, saw the greatness in him, and knew Peter was destined to be the foundational leader of His Church! Missions can be won or lost by our response to people’s failures. Yes, friend, this is a hard reality and leading from a place of forgiveness can be difficult, painfully difficult… It can be so hard. It’s not for the faint of heart. Does this mean we should excuse problems people create or give them permission to keep creating them? Not at all. Does this mean they don’t face consequences for their actions? No! It means while experiencing the worst, we believe in their best. Believing and acting for their best… If this is someone who works for you , it may mean they are honorably and ethically fired. If this is a friend or family member , it may mean there are boundaries set in your relationship. If this is someone who has committed a crime against you , it may mean they experience lawful consequences. Believing and acting for someone’s best also means we have our own work of forgiveness to do. It means we “forgive as the Lord has forgiven us,” friend. Forgiving like Jesus—it may be free to the receiver, but it’s costly to the giver. It cost Jesus His life! Extending forgiveness freely doesn’t mean the offender avoids consequences—far from it! Forgiveness never says, “What they did was okay.” Instead, it declares, “What this person did was wrong AND I forgive them.” In fact, facing consequences can often be the catalyst that helps them transition from their worst behaviors and grow into their best selves. Create a Culture of Forgiveness and Growth Believe the best… understand the worst. This isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s for the brave, the loving, the strong—for leaders who understand their own capacities for both "best" and "worst" living. It’s for those willing to forgive like Jesus—even when it’s incredibly painful and difficult. As we navigate the waters of leadership and forgiveness, we need trusted people in our corner who can support us and help us find our way forward. Don’t do this alone, friend. Connect with others; I’d be honored to help you lead or manage, believing the best and understanding the worst. ( Schedule an inquiry call to learn more and see if this would be a good option for you​ .) Take a moment. Think about a way someone has hurt you or a recent mistake someone on your team made... or maybe a friend or family member. Who comes to mind? Your belief in their potential can inspire the courage they need to rise and try again (Proverbs 24:16). 🚀 Let’s keep braving this life and leadership journey together. Let’s keep believing the best about our own and each other’s abilities, applying timeless wisdom to create the coach-approach cultures of forgiveness and growth our modern workforce longs for.