3:00 am epiphany

Reflections on Me In 2025, I stood before a room full of my peers, a mix of pride and shame swirling within me. As I scanned the room, a feeling of imposter syndrome washed over me. Most of the people there didn’t know my past, and I was terrified that if they did, someone would stand up and strip the award from my hands, declaring I wasn’t worthy of it. You see, I’m a high school dropout who later earned my GED, working in an industry where a degree is often seen as a prerequisite. But that’s not my story. As I reflect on my journey, I’m reminded of Lego sets—particularly the big, intricate ones my granddaughter and I love to build. The more complex, the better. So how do Legos tie into a story about self-acceptance and understanding your worth? Here’s how I see it: Building a Lego set starts with a single brick, and from there, piece by piece, a structure begins to take shape. You gather all the scattered pieces, and after days of careful work, you step back and marvel at the masterpiece you’ve created. I see my life as a Lego kit—assembled from countless pieces, many of which seemed random at the time. Every choice, every decision, has contributed to the person I am today. And just like the hidden bricks in a Lego set that no one will ever see, there are parts of me—parts of my story—that are unseen, but they’re just as essential to the structure of who I am. These pieces form the foundation of everything that brought me to this moment. I’m not any less of a person because my journey wasn’t the traditional one. My life has been built on bold decisions and fearless moments where I followed nothing but my heart and my gut. I’m the type to jump off a ledge and trust that my parachute will open at the right moment. I don’t waste time checking and re-checking; I strap it on without hesitation and go. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t, but I keep putting it on, regardless. I’m sharing this because I want to remind you: Don’t be afraid to take your own path. If you believe in yourself and your abilities, you will eventually find your way. I’m the founder and owner of my company—and I am proud of the woman I’ve become and the life I’ve built.