A woman, given up for adoption about 40 years ago, reached out to me on Ancestry.com — we matched as first cousins. Watch the video to hear more about that family story. As we get to know our new family member, there is a keen sense of excitement, wonder, and gratefulness in the family. Her arrival has become a fresh start for all of us, as we introduce her to our shared history, and welcome her as one of our own. This has made me reflect on our family and my experiences within it, not all of which were great. Pain, regret, resentment, and loss keeps you frozen in time. My new cousin is an invitation to refresh my thinking. What I am seeing in this welcome for my new cousin, is our collective desire to show up for her, surround her with love and acceptance, and fill the void in her life. It is the best of us, and I will embrace it.
I invite you to have a fresh start. As the world bursts with the renewal of spring, think about ways to blossom, to change your perspective, to respond confidently to challenges, and to find newness in your world.