Before the clock runs out on another year, I always find myself returning to the same quiet place.
A place where the noise softens, where the lists and goals and deadlines finally loosen their grip.
A place where I can see what truly mattered.

Not the rush.
Not the pressure.
Not the perfectly planned schedule that never stayed perfect.

But the growth.
The values.
The perspective I earned one hard lesson at a time.

Three things 2025 taught me, lessons I want to carry forward

First. Manifesting is not a trend. It is a truth.
Your thoughts shape the horizon in front of you.
Your inner dialogue casts the first stone for whatever you build next.
I learned to guard my mind like sacred ground, because what I repeat to myself becomes the weather of my life.
You become what you think about. I saw the magic of that more clearly this year.

Second. Anything meaningful takes time.
Ox Bar & Hearth reminded me of this every step of the way.
The idea surfaced in August 2024, but the real story stretched far beyond that.
Every job John and Alain ever worked was quietly preparing them for this moment.
And when it finally opened in November 2025, all that time suddenly made sense.
The waiting. The sweat. The doubt. The resilience.
Creation has its own clock. It is never as fast as we want it to be, but almost always right on time.

Third. Self-respect is a daily practice.
This year taught me to honor my boundaries without apology.
To protect my peace.
To stop abandoning myself just to make things easier for others.
Growth is not always loud. Sometimes it is the simple act of choosing yourself again and again.

The moments and relationships that mattered most

I got to collaborate with incredible people in the bowling world.
Sharing ideas. Expanding possibilities.
And my friend Jodi Mann and I pushed Beyond the Lanes farther into the world with a wider reach and a bigger impact.
Those moments lit something in me.

And then there is the Elite Youth Tour.
Watching those kids grow up in front of me has been one of the quiet joys of my life.
Some of them I first saw when they were eight years old, showing up month after month with bright eyes and big dreams.
Now they are out in college, stretching their wings and proving what is possible when you stay committed long after the excitement fades.
They showed others the truth that possible is not the same as easy.
They left their mark on the Elite Youth Tour and on everyone who watched them rise.
I felt like a proud mom this year, watching them step into their next chapters with courage and grace.
Their impact will echo in the lanes for years to come.

And those I coach remain one of the greatest gifts of my life.
They trust my knowledge. They let me guide them.
That trust is something I never take lightly.
It means more than they know.

Where I grew the most, even when the results were invisible

This year I practiced patience. Real patience.
I slowed down on purpose.
I stopped keeping my phone glued to my hand.
I deleted the digital clutter that stole my attention.
And in the empty space that appeared, I found clarity.
I found a breath I did not know I was missing.

What I want you to carry into 2026

Hold on to what serves you.
Trim the fat in your life.
Let go of what is heavy.
Do not fear the big change.
Do not keep the friend who drains your energy.
Evolve into the next version of yourself with intention.

Be discerning with your time.
Be intentional with your energy.
Be loyal to the person you are becoming.

Because the year is ending, yes.
But you are just getting started.