What Shapes Our Character? Reflection That Drives Direction
Something that has been on my mind a lot through the end of 2025, and into this amazing new year, is “what is it that really shapes our lives?” Last week during one of our online church services, someone shared a thought about a video, saying it highlighted the importance of showing the messy, real parts of life rather than a carefully prepared version that leaves those parts out. I’m paraphrasing, but that was the main idea.
If you know me well, you know my life is a story of overcoming challenges. It was a long battle after losing virtually everything. Part of the reason we’re launching a podcast is to be able to share more of the in depth messiness of our business, how to navigate and hopefully avoid those challenges, and also have guest professionals share their views and advice. Topics range from wills and trusts, to the pros and cons of short term rentals, to purchasing second homes in other states, to home maintenance. Stay tuned for more on that next month!
For years, I never shared the battles I worked through because I was frankly embarrassed by it, until I realized how ridiculous that was. Sharing my struggles has helped others we know to go through and battle similar challenges, and some aren’t similar at all, but knowing others have overcome challenging hardships gives us all hope and hopefully, motivation.
The life that we live after overcoming those challenges truly excites me, and I’m certain that comes through in my “glass is mostly full” attitude, which comes through on video. I share and celebrate our team accomplishments now, with the hope of it being encouragement, and possibilities. It dawned on me when watching our online church service that if someone doesn’t know the back story, it can certainly appear that you may be creating the “everything’s perfect” social media story. I really love telling my story when someone asks, but I don’t overshare it, because I try to be a walking, talking, “what’s possible” story, and not dwell in the past.
Don’t get me wrong, I will never forget the broken, rough, pothole filled, uphill road that I traveled, because I use it to continually motivate myself to never be in that position again, never make the same mistakes, and to continue to provide opportunities for our team, our clients, and our family. And the road continues to be a struggle at times, but that’s what keeps us sharp and growing.
As you may have heard me say before, one of the wisest people I know that used to work on our team said, “Randy lives in a constant state of wonder.” Laura, that may be the biggest compliment I’ve ever been given, and again I thank you! I take nothing for granted, think most things are amazing in some way, and I’m grateful for that broken road that got me to today, because without it, there is no true, deep motivation that continues to drive me.
But I really do enjoy sharing our teams’ successes, and you will never hear me say “I did this.” Reference and kudos are always directed at the team, as I feel it should be. Honestly, I simply do not like individual attention. At a very minimum, I always prefer to have Jennifer in a photo with me, and after all, they sure look better when she is. 😊 As the saying goes, “there is no I in team.”
To wrap up my thoughts on what truly shapes our character, I believe it comes down to learning from challenges, listening more than talking, and remaining curious. I’m always amazed at what I learn from people because I love to ask questions, and I’d much rather listen than speak. When you genuinely listen, people will share more with you. Very little is learned when someone is just waiting for their turn to talk.
As I move through 2026, I’m focusing even more intentionally on listening, learning, and continuing to shape my character. It’s been a long, hard battle to get to where we are today, but it has been, and continues to be, a journey filled with wonder.
Make a wonder filled month!
