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Grit separates surviving from thriving. It's not glamorous or trending, but it's the backbone of how we keep moving forward – especially when no one's watching.

What does real grit look like? Sometimes it's celebrating a milestone nobody thought possible. My dad, diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer in 2015 with a three-year prognosis, just marked his 10th year post-diagnosis. Through grueling stem cell and T-cell transplants, two brushes with 50-50 survival odds, and countless challenging days, he chose to fight. His remission today isn't just science – it's a testament to endurance, faith, and refusing to give up.

Grit also appears in unexpected places. When our newly adopted shelter dog was diagnosed with rare, terminal cancer, my children showed what grit truly means. Instead of pulling away from inevitable heartbreak, they've leaned into love – giving extra cuddles, special treats, and making every remaining day count. That's grit in its purest form: choosing to show up with compassion when your heart is breaking.

Research backs up what we intuitively know. Angela Duckworth's groundbreaking studies revealed that grit – defined as passion and perseverance for long-term goals – predicts success better than intelligence, talent, or background. In studies of West Point cadets, successful salespeople, and high achievers across fields, the common thread wasn't natural ability but consistent determination. The good news? Grit can be cultivated through discipline, mindset, and faith.

Where do you need grit today? Maybe it's showing up for a struggling loved one, persisting through a career setback, praying when your faith feels dry, or serving your community without recognition. Whatever challenges you're facing, remember – you've got more grit in you than you realize. Don't give up. You're stronger than you know, and your perseverance today is building the foundation for tomorrow's victory.

Ready to develop more grit in your life? Subscribe to Holly's Highlights and join our monthly email at www.hollycurby.com for practical worksheets to help you cultivate resilience through life's toughest moments.

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Standing at the edge of my daughter's high school graduation, I found myself reflecting on eighteen years ago, holding my heart's desire in my arms. Suddenly here she was - cap, gown, and all grown up. This milestone hit differently as a single parent, bringing both overwhelming pride and that bittersweet ache of letting go.

What messages do we send to a time we will never see through our children? What does it mean to provide both roots and wings? Through tears and celebration, I've discovered five powerful life lessons from this graduation threshold that apply to everyone navigating change: your identity isn't what you achieve but who you belong to; you can step forward without having everything figured out; presence matters more than perfection; letting go is a sacred spiritual practice; and your best days aren't behind you - they're ahead.

Whether you're a parent watching your child take flight, a graduate stepping into the unknown, or anyone moving through life's inevitable transitions, this episode offers both comfort and courage for the journey. As Maya Angelou reminded us, "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." Join me in exploring how to embrace these breathtaking moments with faith, purpose, and the confidence that you're not lost - you're simply in motion. Share this episode with someone facing a significant life transition who needs to hear they're not alone on their journey.

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There's a bittersweet beauty in watching a chapter close, especially one that's been thirteen years in the making. Sitting alone in the bleachers after my daughter's high school softball awards night, tears streaming down my face, I found myself overwhelmed not with sadness that it was over, but with profound gratitude that it happened at all.

This journey through softball fields and dugouts has taught me far more than how to keep score or pack the perfect game day snack. It revealed profound truths about perseverance when facing challenges like flooded fields and tough seasons. It demonstrated how true leadership isn't about wearing a captain's badge, but about the energy and encouragement you bring to others. And most powerfully, it showed how attitude becomes the ultimate game-changer – not just on the diamond, but in life.

From watching my daughter draw dragonflies in the dirt to honor her grandmother, to celebrating that game-winning home run bunt, each moment built toward something bigger than trophies or statistics. Whether you're a parent approaching the end of a childhood chapter, a leader navigating team dynamics, or someone simply trying to play your best game in life, these lessons resonate: grit wins long-term, teamwork multiplies strength, your attitude is your superpower, and the small victories deserve celebration too. The final scoreboard doesn't define success – the heart you bring to the game does. Share this episode with someone standing at the end of their own meaningful chapter, and remember: though seasons end, the impact of how we live them endures forever.

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Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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Ever felt the emotional whiplash from breakfast in bed on Mother's Day to Monday morning chaos with dishes piled high and everyone asking what's for dinner? This honest conversation dives into what happens when the flowers fade and we're left wondering if we're making any difference at all.

Drawing from personal experience as both a mother and daughter who's lost her mom, I explore the bittersweet reality behind Mother's Day celebrations and offer practical wisdom for carrying the spirit of motherhood through all 365 days of the year. We unpack the original purpose of Mother's Day—honoring mothers whose sons died in war—reminding us that this holiday has always held both celebration and grief.

Whether you're a biological mother, spiritual mentor, or someone who nurtures others in any capacity, you'll discover three powerful strategies to sustain you beyond the greeting cards: anchoring in your God-given identity, living with intentional faith in small daily actions, and building genuine community to combat isolation. Through vulnerable stories and biblical insights from Psalms 139, Galatians 6:9, and 1 Thessalonians 5:11, we'll confront those nagging questions of worth and impact that visit us in quiet moments.

Your legacy isn't built through grand gestures or perfect performances but through consistent, faithful presence—often in unseen moments that may never receive applause. If you've ever felt invisible, underappreciated, or questioned whether you're enough, this episode offers the gentle reminder that what you do matters, especially when no one's watching. Join me for this heart-to-heart conversation about trading perfection for presence and finding your worth in truth rather than thank-yous.

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Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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What happens when Teacher Appreciation Week ends but the challenges facing educators continue? This episode dives deep into the realities of teaching in America today, where 3.7 million educators shape our future while earning 23.5% less than comparable professionals and facing unprecedented burnout rates.

Drawing from personal connections – a mother who taught for over two decades and a sister in school support staff – Holly explores why teacher appreciation must transform from a seasonal gesture into an intentional, year-round commitment. The discussion weaves together compelling statistics, heartfelt anecdotes, and practical wisdom about supporting the backbone of our communities.

You'll discover five actionable ways to support teachers that don't require deep pockets or special connections: from the power of a simple thank-you note (which Holly's mother kept in a special folder for discouraging days) to advocating at school board meetings. Perhaps most powerfully, the episode examines how our conversations about teachers at home directly shape children's attitudes toward education – when we complain about teachers being "too strict" or roll our eyes at school policies, we teach children that "teachers are obstacles, not allies."

Ready to make a difference for the educators who've shaped your journey? Connect with resources like DonorsChoose.org, take one meaningful step to honor a teacher in your life, and join the conversation by tagging an educator who made a difference on social media. Because while Teacher Appreciation Week may end, our gratitude shouldn't.

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Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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Nurses stand as the heartbeat of healthcare, yet their invaluable work often goes unrecognized. This episode celebrates these extraordinary professionals who blend clinical expertise with profound humanity every single day.

Since my father was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2015, it hasn't been just the medications that kept him going—it was the nurses who remembered his name, saved him window seats during infusions, and transformed hospital visits from dreaded necessities into moments of genuine human connection. Similarly, when my mother needed emergency care after being poisoned, a compassionate nurse became "our angel" during a terrifying time. These personal experiences reveal what statistics confirm: while nurses represent the most trusted profession in America for 22 consecutive years running, over 40% report burnout, with one in five considering leaving the field entirely.

Through their example, nurses teach us four powerful life lessons we can all apply: being fully present when it matters most, leading with empathy even under pressure, embracing continuous learning throughout our lives, and supporting team members without hesitation. These principles transcend healthcare, offering a blueprint for more meaningful human connection in every sphere of life. Whether you've been cared for by a nurse, love someone who is a nurse, or simply recognize their contributions, this episode invites you to move beyond a single week of appreciation and commit to supporting these healthcare heroes year-round.

Have you been touched by a nurse's care? Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it, and take a moment to thank a nurse in your life—through a message, a nomination for recognition, or simply by truly listening to them. The healing they provide extends far beyond medicine, and our gratitude should do the same.

Related episodes:
S1 E9 6 Tips to Avoid Burnout
S3 E7: 4 areas for balancing our health and wellness
Embracing Hope Through The Heartaches Series: Series promo on youtube: https://youtu.be/FV6KGYaxUa4
- Cerebral Palsy S4 E9
- Lougerics Disease (ALS) S4 E10
- Cystic Fibrosis S4 E12
- MS and Stroke S4 E13

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Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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Holly celebrates her daughter's 18th birthday by sharing five powerful principles for living with intention, faith, and resilience that anyone can apply to their own life.

• The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom - maturity is cultivated through wonder, humility and reverence
• Courage doesn't always roar - some of the bravest moments are quiet and unseen
• Build your life on the rock, not the applause - work with devotion whether there's recognition or not
• Let God define your identity - walk in confidence by knowing whose you are
• Leadership is a life of lifting others - true leaders serve, listen, and lead with grace

Take a moment to reflect on one area of your life that needs shifting, choose one resource mentioned to explore further, and honor someone in your life who's living well by speaking encouragement to them. Subscribe to Holly's Highlights podcast and join the email list at www.hollycurby.com for more inspiration.

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Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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Have you ever wished for someone to guide you through life's challenges, or wondered if you could be that guiding light for someone else? Mentorship might be the missing piece in your journey.

In this heartfelt exploration of mentorship, we unpack what it truly means to guide and be guided. Far more than just giving advice, mentorship creates a relationship of intentional growth, encouragement, and accountability.

The benefits speak volumes – professionally, mentored employees are five times more likely to be promoted and report greater satisfaction. Spiritually, mentorship embodies Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." We share practical steps for finding a mentor (pray, look around, start small, be consistent) and becoming a mentor (you don't need to have it all together, just be a step ahead and available).

Most importantly, we challenge the notion that you need to be perfect to mentor others. As one mentor wisely stated, "The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves." Whether you're guiding or being guided, mentorship offers mutual growth and the chance to make a lasting impact.

Ready to take that first step? Finding or becoming a mentor doesn't require a program or perfect timing – just a willingness to show up, listen well, and walk alongside another person in their journey. Share this episode with someone who might need this encouragement, and subscribe for more conversations that equip you to live with purpose.

Support the show

Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.