55 Years, 5 Lessons, and Learning to Trust the Next Step

Today I turn 55.

And if I’m being honest, I’ve found myself doing a little more reflecting than celebrating (although there will definitely be some celebrating too 😉).

Not on titles or accomplishments… but on the lessons.
The kind that shape how you lead, how you love people, and how you show up every day.

After 55 years, here are five that have stuck with me.

1. Actions will always speak louder than words.

We’ve all heard this before, but life has a way of proving it over and over again.

It’s easy to say the right things. It’s easy to make promises.
But what really matters is what we do—consistently, over time.

In leadership, in relationships, in everyday moments… people are watching actions more than they’re listening to words.

I’ve learned to pay more attention to actions too.

2. Every leader teaches you something.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with a lot of leaders over the years.

Some were incredible examples of what leadership should look like—encouraging, steady, thoughtful, and inspiring.

Others… well, they taught me just as much.

They showed me how I don’t want to lead.
How I don’t want people to feel when they’re part of a team.

And here’s what I’ve realized:
There’s value in both.

If you’re paying attention, every experience—good or bad—helps shape the kind of leader you become.

3. Time doesn’t slow down.

This one feels more real with every passing year.

Time moves quickly. Faster than we expect. Faster than we’re ready for sometimes.

And it doesn’t wait for the “perfect” moment.

So if there’s something I’ve learned, it’s this:
Don’t wait.

Don’t wait to say the thing.
Don’t wait to take the trip.
Don’t wait to make the change.

Be present. Be intentional. Make the moment count while you’re in it.

4. Relationships are everything.

At the end of the day, it always comes back to people.

Not the to-do list. Not the calendar. Not the goals.

The people.

The ones you work with, the ones you love, the ones you serve, and the ones who have walked alongside you in different seasons of life.

Those relationships are what make everything else meaningful.

And the older I get, the more I realize how important it is to invest in them, intentionally and consistently.

5. You don’t have to have it all figured out to keep moving forward.

If there’s one thing I wish I could go back and tell my younger self, it would be this.

You don’t need all the answers.

You don’t need a perfectly mapped-out plan.

You just need to take the next step.

Growth doesn’t happen all at once.
It happens one decision, one lesson, one moment at a time.

And somehow, as you keep moving forward, things begin to come together.

Looking Ahead: A Year of Trust

As I stepped into 2026, I chose a simple word to guide me: Trust.

Trusting God more.
Letting go of the need to have everything figured out.
And having the faith to take the next step, even when I can’t see the whole path ahead.

Because if the last 55 years have taught me anything, it’s this:

You don’t have to see the entire picture to keep moving forward.
You just have to be willing to take the next step.

Grateful for the Journey

More than anything, I’m grateful.

Grateful for the lessons.
Grateful for the people.
Grateful for every season, even the hard ones.

Because every piece of it has played a role in getting me here.

And if you’ve been part of that journey in any way—whether we’ve worked together, crossed paths, or simply stayed connected—thank you.

It means more than you probably know.

Here’s to 55… and whatever comes next. 💛