THEY SAY – I SAY – Spirations360°

Nothing is harder than trying to please everyone. At 53, let me share something with you: every year it gets easier to stand true to yourself. And honestly, I’m deeply grateful for the person I’ve become. I’ve lived a lot. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve got stories, scars, and laughter — and I wouldn’t trade any of it. I am me. And yes, I like me.

In the past, I often wished life would calm down — fewer ups and downs, less turbulence. Did that happen? No. And today, I’m glad it didn’t. Because peace isn’t the absence of motion; it’s the ability to find stillness within it. I appreciate moments of harmony now, and I’m profoundly thankful that I’ve learned to walk away from people who drain me instead of give me energy. That, I’m convinced, is one of life’s greatest medicines as you grow older.

I wish you a week filled with sweet harmony and the company of good souls — the ones who lift you, listen to you, and make you feel safe being yourself. Here are a few of the things I’ve heard from people who’ve tried to weaken me or my work. Those of you in leadership know these phrases well. But mindset changes everything.

Rephrase them so they fit you — and own them. It’s daily training, but it’s worth it.

✨ They say she’s too direct. → I say I value clarity.
✨ They say she cannot know. → I say I trust my expertise.
✨ They say she’s pushy. → I say I aim for goals.
✨ They say she’s selfish. → I say I protect my boundaries.
✨ They say she’s difficult. → I say I’m perfectly fine.