Moments in the Rearview

A Journey Through Life’s Mosaic

Life is a collection of moments, small and large, each contributing to a grand mosaic that reflects who we are, what we’ve learned, and where we’re headed. When I look back, I see not just memories but echoes of choices, places, and people shaping the here and now. As each chapter builds upon the last, we find meaning in what was and what it points us toward.

In the moments I share, there’s a constant thread of values—humility, curiosity, resilience—formed by family, risk, the people I met, and the adventures I chased. Looking back offers a powerful reminder: life is about how each moment and decision becomes a stepping stone toward our future selves.

Here’s the question: How are you adding to your mosaic, and what lessons does your “rearview” offer?

I have an assignment for you.? Something that I just did for myself.? Go to Google, Perplexity, and ChatGPT, and type in the following prompt:?

“Who is <your name> and what is he/she best known for?

See where that leads you.? This is what is known as your prevailing narrative.? People generally “Google” each other before they meet for the first time.? That is shifting to AI-based search (hence Perplexity and ChatGPT search).?

You are now showing up, not as a blue link, but as a packaged sense of content for what you have accomplished and how you write about yourself.? Does the output from the above exercise resonate?? Is it accurate??

NOW: Realization and Reflection for Today

Reflecting on where I started, in a blue-collar town where values of hard work and loyalty were central, I see the roots that have grounded me. Leaving that world, forging a new path on the West Coast, and embracing a journey filled with risk, revealed a resilience I hadn’t known. These foundational values remain as constant companions, guiding today’s decisions and reminding me of the simplicity I grew up with - people over status, process over result.

1. Are you grounded in values that carry you forward, even as the world shifts?
2. How do the roots you’ve planted serve as reminders of what truly matters?

NEW: Learning and Experimentation for Tomorrow

Through travel, family, and those unplanned moments, I’ve learned to welcome new perspectives. Whether it was navigating Hong Kong’s bustling streets or taking in Cambodia’s ancient temples, every trip left a piece with me, expanding my worldview.?

But this openness to learning is more than just travel; it’s about embracing each experience as a moment to evolve, to grow, to adjust our inner compass. In each new encounter, there’s an invitation to see beyond ourselves.

1. Where do you find opportunities to learn and grow in your daily life?
2. How often do you step beyond your comfort zone, not just physically but mentally, in pursuit of new understanding?

NEXT: Vision for Future Possibilities

Life’s journey is one of continuous becoming—a vision not only for where we’re going but for who we’re becoming. Today, as I build narratives, craft stories, and explore new paths, I see each endeavor as part of a broader vision. Just as each moment builds upon the last, each day offers a chance to shape the “next” in ways that extend far beyond ourselves.

1. Are you crafting a vision for your future that feels authentic to who you are?
2. What choices today are shaping your “next” in meaningful ways?

Payoff: Building Your Life’s Mosaic

Every life, including yours, is a unique mosaic. It’s not always the bold strokes or the planned moments but the quiet reflections, the unexpected turns, and the willingness to adapt that create the most lasting impact.?

In the “Now,” we find clarity in our foundations.?

In the “New,” we discover possibilities for growth.?

And in the “Next,” we envision the lives we are consciously crafting, piece by piece.

As you build your mosaic, let each choice, each connection, become a color, a moment, a part of something larger. Our journeys remind us that life’s purpose isn’t always in grand gestures but in the steady accumulation of experiences and reflections that connect us all.

“One should make one's life a mosaic. Let the general design be good, the colors lively, and the materials diversified.” ~ Marthe Bibesco (1928) “Catherine-Paris”

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If you are seeking a way to optimize your personal story in a changing world, book a free consultation with me, and let's consider the possibilities. ?

I am a creator and my craft is to help others find and design their form of self-expression.? For companies, it is about alignment around a Narrative Northstar and the mission to achieve it.? For executives over 45, it is about owning your personal narrative and helping you to own it.? The ultimate quest for me is to align the executive and the narrative that you have chosen to pursue. For that is where the magic exists.?