Second chances mean everything to me. I was adopted at birth. Right away in life, I received the blessing of selflessness, from my biological parents. And, the gift of a beautiful love- and opportunity-filled life with my parents. This single experience instilled a sense of miraculousness, awe, and wonder in my life. Now, I want to pay forward second chances to people, animals, and the planet via Take Two.

My mom went into labor at about the 4-month mark, and had to take many precautions during the rest of her pregnancy, so that I would ‘stay in’ and ‘stay cooking’. I was still born a bit premature, at about 8 months. I’m so grateful for that very early second chance -- to stay in the sacred sanctuary of my mom’s womb for long enough to find the health, strength, and resilience needed for when it was truly time to step into this human experience and to join this wonderful, wild world.

When I think of second chances, I think: not giving up on something. So many times in our world today, people just want new, new, new -- but what we really need to be focusing on is reusing and creating “new” with things that have the ability to be made “new” again.

I look at every opportunity at doing something again as a “second chance” to do it way better than I did before. This has been true with my career, personal relationships, and everything else in between. Waking up alive each morning is a second chance. Every day is filled with second chances. So look around the corner, and I’m sure there’s one waiting! 

Thinking about all the opportunities for life and growth just requires a single moment created by an opportunity or chance. Taking a second to pause before throwing away leftovers--that’s a second chance on a meal for your roommate. Taking a second to pause during a heated exchange--that’s a second chance at friendship. Taking a second to learn about where your growth edges and a chance at asking for help--that’s a second chance at life.