When something unexpected happens, do you rant and rave about how unfair it is? Or do you wallow in the sadness that this new reality is actually real?
Both scenarios pull you away from your best self.
This happened to me when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Shock.
Then — planning.
Then — treatment. Immediately.
There wasn’t time to process. I had young children, and my first thought when the radiologist said, “You have breast cancer,” was:
“I am not ruining my children’s childhood.”
An extreme reaction, yes , but it was fueled by love, and probably a little bit of childhood trauma (we’ll circle back to that someday). My kids were in kindergarten and third grade. I didn’t feel I had the luxury to scream, cry, or break down. I just knew:
I had to survive.
But let’s be clear , life is full of unexpected circumstances, gut-wrenching pain, and unwelcome news. What matters most is how we perceive and manage what’s happening. The lesson; whether from God or the Universe ; doesn’t always reveal itself right away.
I didn’t see my diagnosis as a lesson in the moment. That insight took time… and healing. Both physical and emotional.
Everyday U-Turns
Our days are filled with dozens of tiny moments when we choose:
React or Let Be.
I’m naturally a react person , dramatically, my family would say. But I try to be a “let be” person too. Some days, I flow. Others… not so much.
But that’s the beauty of life , you always get another chance tomorrow.
Did yesterday suck?
Did you fall short of your higher self?
Take a breath. Reflect. Say:
“Maybe I could’ve handled that better.”
And try again.
When upsetting things happen ; bad news, disappointing situations , visualize yourself making a slow U-turn. Not to deny or avoid, but to double back and ask:
“What is this really trying to teach me?”
Because what we need most in those moments isn’t rage, blame, or victimhood.
We need clarity.
Even Robots Make Mistakes
On a recent road trip, I was driving home in our Tesla using the autopilot feature. When we stopped to charge, the car made a U-turn instead of taking the hard left.
I took over manually and submitted the incident for Elon’s research.
Even with multiple cameras and brilliant AI…
mistakes still happen.
And we are not robots.
We make mistakes. We break down. We mess up.
But if we’re committed to self-awareness, growth, and trying again — tomorrow is always a new day.
Each U-turn gets a little smoother.
Each re-route feels a little wiser.
And eventually, with enough growth and healing, we’ll make fewer of them.
At least, that’s the hope.
xo,
Laura