As a kid, I was so intrigued by life. Its ups and downs. Its challenges. I wanted to conquer anything I put my mind to. Whether it was baseball or basketball, I wanted to be my best. When life threw me some pretty big curves as a kid, like my father and one of my older sisters passing, I had to quickly learn to not settle in my setbacks if I was going to meet the challenges I so eagerly wanted to conquer. As I got older, life got harder. The more successful I got, the more setbacks I faced. Some of them I stood strong through and some I failed through, but all of them I learned through.
What I’ve learned about life is the that it’s a journey and wisdom comes to those who learn from their setbacks. I’ve committed to a life that not only focuses on entering my comebacks, but teaching others to learn from their setbacks and enter their comebacks. Failing forward.
Our birthdays have a way of putting into perspective how far we have gone in a year. I think about all the people I have been blessed to lead into their comebacks, whether it was the kids in South Africa, the couple in Texas, the grandma in Florida, or the celebrities in Hollywood. I am blessed, because I have learned to be a blessing to others. I am blessed because I am learning to serve and not be served. I am blessed because I listen to my mom, two sisters, and trusted confidants who encourage me when things get rough, to push through, learn and gain wisdom from my setbacks.
I look forward to another year.
With one last weekend left in August, I got to thinking about my end of the summer 
11. Add summer fruits and vegetables to an unexpected treat…there’s even one spot in L.A. that tops their doughnut with fresh seasonal fruit.