Gratitude for a Chance

On Ohio, Career, and Growth

When the first lands on a Sunday, I feel more excited about the month ahead. Not sure why, but there's something about it that makes me excited. Anyone else?

Currently, I am sitting in a beautiful AirBnb in Ohio with my husband. Today, we took our first flight together since 2018. In between having kids, the pandemic, and life, we haven't had a chance to do much of anything. The house is filled with that beautiful after the rain light that makes everything in its path glow. It's so heartwarming to see. And outside of the typing on my keyboard, it's silent. We are in the middle of nowhere, and it feels good to be here. It feels special.

I haven't been to Ohio since 2013. A few weeks after quitting my very last job, I got booked to speak at Ohio State University. This place holds a piece of my heart. My career was just beginning in 2013. I had passion, drive, and little experience, but there were people in Ohio who believed in me enough to hire me to speak to their students about self-care and affirmations. I learned the importance of storytelling on that trip. I learned how to name my price and value myself on that trip. I learned self-trust and self-belief on that trip. I've been to many places over the past eight years. I've taught thousands of people, signed busloads of books, and held space for community in more ways than one—and it all started in Ohio, and someone taking a chance on me. The gratefulness that I have for that starting point—and this place—runs deep. I am reminded of how important it is to give people a chance because we all need one at one point in time.

While standing in line to board our flight, I smiled big behind my mask, and my heart filled with gratitude. I thought about how far I've come in this life. And how for so long, the life I have now was just a dream that I wanted to come to fruition. And I'm not just talking about the material things. The life I always wanted was rooted in purpose, self-love, and creating a path for others to walk alongside me with their truth, without shame or guilt. I am grateful that OSU took a chance on me and helped me start building the life I knew I wanted.

Coming back to Ohio made me feel like I was returning home, even though I'm not from here. There have been so many moving parts to my personal and professional growth. As time passes, I've become more and more grateful for every ebb and flow—for every reroute, detour, and change of plans. My stomach was in knots eight years ago, speaking for the first time on a college campus; being nervous wasn't the word. I was sick at the thought of messing up or not being good enough or experienced enough to have anything to say. As I reflect, I am grateful for those feelings of doubt because they taught me bravery and how to make an impact by simply being myself.

I hope that no matter where you are in life, you find courage, gratitude, and someone to take a chance on you—even if that someone is yourself.

Calls to Action for the Week

Watch this.

Read this.

Do this.

Please share your stories of gratitude with me! I'd love to hear from you. Comment below or email me directly at gratitude[at]alexelle.com