Have the courage to take the road less traveled...

I stepped on a $400 contact lens on Sunday and broke it...

Monday was an especially challenging day, courage-wise.?

Today, I had a 5:30 am flight to Chicago. I won't tell you how much I slept lol. My next flight to Michigan was delayed. Unfortunately, RDU doesn't have 1-way flights to many destinations.?

?All those things happening within 48 hours easily could have easily derailed my primary purpose for this week: be prepared to speak to 200+ amazing change agents on Wednesday about courageous conversations. To bring my best self & maximum energy speaking-wise, I must be mentally and emotionally full.?

?So, I huffed and puffed after each incident, and then I did what I needed to return to a place of peace.?

#couragecandy We must have the courage to protect our own peace; no one else is responsible.?

Today when I landed and saw my flight delay, I decided to cancel my connecting flight and get to my destination via a different route. I like to award my courageous choices, so I decided to find a beach I hadn't been to before along the way. (Did you know I went to graduate school in Michigan? Oddly enough, I never actually went to a beach while I lived in the Mid-west.)

The picture in the cover photo and the ones below are from that beach at Washington State Park in Michigan City, Indiana on a beautiful 75-degree afternoon. (I know, a bit confusing- three states listed for one location.)?

#couragecandy Things don't have to make sense or be scripted to be beautiful. Often our reward for relinquishing control is a new adventure we couldn’t have dreamed up.?

?In Michigan City, Indiana, I was given a card for a free coffee at the local coffee shop and someone bought me free water at the beach with their loose change when the credit card option wouldn't work for me. I even met a dog named Champ (that was my 1st dog’s name growing up-. He was a mini schnauzer and my best friend.) I’m finishing this post at a local black-owned business called Cool Runnings while I wait for my food. I wrote most of this post on my cell phone while walking along the beach and while walking to the lighthouse. (For the long-time subscribers, have you noticed, I often write when I’m at the beach? Something I’m currently working on is balance + peace and honoring when I’m exhausted.)

When I woke up from my cat nap this morning, I did not expect to end up at a beach in Michigan City. However, I’m so happy I welcomed the detour and took full advantage of the delayed flight. My cup is full and I’m ready for tomorrow’s keynote! ???

If you’re like me, you don’t always choose the road less traveled and welcome new experiences and adventures when missteps happen, so I want to leave you with some final thoughts and enCOURAGEment. (I love that one of my courage candy subscribers reminded me that the word encouragement is made up of courage.)

As some of my fav fellow ATLiens (people from Atlanta) say, "You can plan a pretty picnic, but you can't predict the weather." -Outkast

• I listen to a lot of Maverick City Music. I heard this line again today and wanted to share it with you. “Put on strength. Put on joy. Put on love. And don’t take it off. The only way the world will change is if we…” (Lines above repeat.)

A few reminders:??

• ?Courage is a choice.?
• Courage can be cultivated.?
• Courage is contagious.?

Shout out to all the caring and courageous change agents committed to making courageous and brave choices this week, even when complacency and silence would be easier. I see you; I celebrate you; I am you; it will pay off in the end. ??

?(I know some of you are still focused on my $400 contact lens lol. I have an eye disease and must wear specialty lens called scleral lens. Can't pass the chance up to relate it to inclusion... we can only see or assume so much about someone unless they choose to divulge more. It has a big impact on my life; however, this may be the first time I'm sharing about it on LinkedIn. I often think about it in comparison to an organization's DEI journey, so I will try to share more through that analogy at some point. )

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As seen in the New York Times and Diversity, Inc., Antoinetta Mosley is the CEO and Principal Leader at I Follow the Leader, a strategic consulting firm specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy, initiatives, and education. As a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP), Antoinetta has worked on a range of projects for organizations of all sizes, including small to global nonprofits as well as Fortune 500 companies, and travels the country as a sought-after speaker on DEI, courageous conversations, and belonging in the workplace.

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