Back in the Sun, Back in Perspective

 


There is something about returning to a place that reminds you who you are.

After a few weeks back in cold, snowy Michigan, I found myself slipping effortlessly into old rhythms. The sounds, the pace, even the muscle memory of everyday life felt familiar. It was as if I had never left.

Then I returned to Brazil.

And once again, that same feeling hit me, as no time had passed at all.

My first full day back was spent on the golf course in Praia do Forte. Blue skies, ocean air, and that unmistakable Brazilian sun. Magnificent, energizing, and apparently stronger than SPF 70. Despite my best efforts, I still managed to leave with a sunburn, a small reminder that nature always gets the last word.

But more than the weather, it was the feeling that stood out.

Brazil has a way of pulling you into the present. The warmth. The music. The constant sense of movement and celebration. Even ordinary days carry a sense of life and possibility. And while I can feel comfortable anywhere, that is something years in leadership have taught me, I have also learned to pay attention to where I feel most alive.

For me, that is here.

Leadership is not just about strategy, decisions, or long-term plans. It is also about self-awareness. Knowing what environments help you think clearly. Knowing what gives you energy. Knowing when you are simply functioning versus when you are truly thriving.

Michigan will always feel like home. Brazil now feels like renewal.

And somewhere between snowy mornings and sunburned afternoons, I have gained a little more perspective on what balance, purpose, and presence really mean.

Sometimes growth does not come from changing who you are. It comes from recognizing where you shine the brightest.

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