Growth, Bridges & Coffee Cups: A Personal Reflection on Change and Resilience

I don’t often share this story.

But after 30+ life-changing events, I’ve realized something: every curve, hill, and bridge in my life has brought me here, for a reason. And I’m finally okay with that.

A Detour That Changed Everything

When I was in high school, my brother Dan was in a terrible car accident. The kind that shakes your world—and doesn’t let go.

He died multiple times. He came back numerous times.

And somehow, he’s still here.

Still Dan. Still corky. Still showing up with that offbeat humor and deep-rooted stubbornness that makes him… him.

But I changed.

That experience changed me.

You don’t go through something like that and come out the same. I had to adjust—mentally, emotionally, spiritually. Suddenly, the hallway drama and the high school noise didn’t seem so loud. I had a new lens. One shaped by fragility, by gratitude, by a more profound understanding that this—all of it—is borrowed time.

Attitude + Adaptation = Growth

Life isn’t a straight road. It’s not supposed to be.

There are sharp turns, breakdowns, U-turns, and the occasional rogue pothole. But I’ve learned to stop fighting the terrain. Instead, I try to adapt with curiosity. To listen. To look around.

That mindset—a growth mindset—has permeated every aspect of my life, from how I lead to how I work, to how I parent, to how I write. Whether I’m reorganizing my inbox, blocking time on my calendar, or letting music set the tone for my day, it all starts with perspective.

My Coffee Cup Is Always Full

Not just because I love coffee (which, let’s be honest, I do). But because it’s symbolic.

My cup is full because I fill it with:

• Joy
• Curiosity
• Energy
• Gratitude
• Laughter (especially the awkward kind)

And just as importantly, I try to overfill others’ cups too.

That’s the part I love most. Whether it’s coaching a teammate, writing a blog post, or just checking in with someone who’s been too quiet lately, my goal is always to give more than I take. To remind people that they matter, they’re seen, and they’re capable of more than they think.

Finding Direction in the Curves

Life doesn’t hand out blueprints. But it does offer clues, if you’re paying attention.

For me, those clues came through change. Through hardship. Through moments of stillness when everything felt uncertain. And yet, I kept going. We all do.

Every detour builds something:

• Perspective
• Empathy
• Depth
• Vision

The road I’m on now? It wasn’t drawn in pencil. It was carved through lived experience.

And while I can’t always control the turns ahead, I can choose how I respond. I can show up. Learn. Grow. Adapt. Repeat.

Final Thoughts

If you’re still reading this, thank you.

I don’t often share this part of my life. But something in me said it was time.

We don’t get to pick all of our life events, but we do get to decide how we meet them. I’ve chosen a path of openness, growth, and purpose. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s worth it.

And along the way, I’ll keep filling my cup and yours.

Because at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about. 

#Leadership #GrowthMindset #PersonalReflection #Resilience #BeHuman #AuthenticLeadership #CoffeeCupFull #LifeLessons #LinkedInBlog #MichaelEarls