Finding Light in the Chaos: Lessons from Maddie’s Journey

Today I feel the need to pivot a little bit to a personal story in my life. While not completely unconnected to leadership, the message is loud and clear. You have the power to control your thoughts and direct your mindset. As I navigate some very challenging waters, I had a pause and a moment to stop for some perspective. And in that moment, I realized something powerful: sometimes, the smallest victories in the midst of chaos are the ones that keep you going. And if anyone knows about chaos, it’s me—and my daughter, Maddie.

Just over a year ago, Maddie was newly diagnosed with epilepsy. It felt like our world had been turned upside down. We spent months trying to find the right medication, constantly adjusting doses to manage her seizures while also trying to avoid a long list of side effects. Maddie struggled to make it through the end of fourth grade, spending more time out of school than in, which meant that the year was a blur of doctor visits, medication trials, and trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy.

But here’s the thing—sometimes life’s greatest lessons come from the most chaotic moments. Amid the stress, the uncertainty, and the fear, I realized something: it’s not always about finding the perfect solution or fixing everything right away. Sometimes, the breakthrough comes from simply surviving the chaos, taking things one day at a time, and finding the beauty in small victories.

The Chaos of Uncertainty

During this time, we learned a few hard truths. First, Maddie could not tolerate bloodwork. That meant trips to the doctor, trying to get her ready for blood tests, knowing that her face might end up meeting the floor if we weren’t careful. Then there was the constant dance of finding the right medication, which was like trying to hit a moving target. Nothing about the process was easy, but we kept going, knowing that each day brought us a little closer to a solution—even if it didn’t feel that way at the time.

But one of the hardest parts of that time was Maddie’s daily struggle with extreme anxiety. She had just enough understanding of what epilepsy was to be terrified of it. Despite all the reassurances from doctors, friends, and family, no one could convince her that she wouldn’t spontaneously die from a seizure. To her, every minute was a ticking time bomb. It sounds funny now, but back then, it was incredibly dark. Every day was plagued with fears—fears of what might happen next, of what she couldn’t control, and of how much she had to endure. For a little girl who was still trying to navigate her childhood, this was a heavy burden.

And yet, looking back, I realize that in the midst of that fear, Maddie and I both learned something profound: even in the darkest moments, there is light. Maddie’s bravery in facing her fears every day—while not knowing what the next moment would bring—was a lesson in resilience I’ll never forget. And in some strange way, it mirrored the chaos I’m facing today in different areas of my life.

The Power of Small Victories

And then, this week, we went for a follow-up appointment. After over a year of trying to stabilize her condition, the doctors did every in-office test they could to induce a seizure—and nothing happened. No seizure. No drama. No crisis.

While this doesn’t drastically change our daily lives or the routine we’ve grown accustomed to, it was a small victory. It was a reminder that sometimes, breakthroughs come in the form of little wins—those quiet, unexpected moments of clarity that you have to look a little harder to see.

The same thing can be applied to life. When we’re in the thick of chaos, we often forget to take a step back and appreciate the small victories. Whether it’s getting through a tough week at work, finally finishing that project you’ve been putting off, or simply getting through a day without a meltdown (I’m speaking from experience here), those moments matter. They add up.

Embracing the Mess: The Beauty of Small Victories

This week, I was reminded of something important: that even in the middle of chaos, there is always a silver lining. In our case, it was that Maddie had made progress—no matter how small it seemed in the grand scheme of things. And it wasn’t just about the seizure test or the medical outcomes. It was a reminder that progress isn’t always linear. Sometimes, you need to pause and recognize that the moments of relief, even if brief, are a big deal.

This lesson is so parallel to what I’m navigating right now in different areas of my life. In the chaos I’m facing, I’m learning to pause and take stock of the small wins, even when it feels like nothing big is changing. Life, like Maddie’s journey, is often about surviving the rough seas with as much grace as possible, knowing that it’s the little victories along the way that make the difference.

Finding Balance Amid the Chaos

It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of life’s demands, especially when things feel out of control. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past year, it’s this: balance doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from accepting the chaos, embracing the mess, and finding peace in the little victories along the way.

Maddie’s journey isn’t over, and we still have a long road ahead of us. But each small step we take—each victory, no matter how small—is a reminder that even in the midst of chaos, there is room for growth, for gratitude, and for celebration.

And for me, that’s been the real breakthrough.

A Call for Perspective

So, the next time you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the constant chaos, take a step back and ask yourself: What small victory can I celebrate today? Whether it’s surviving a challenging situation, making it through another hectic week, or simply having a moment of peace in the storm, those little moments are worth acknowledging.

Because, as Maddie and I have learned, the chaos may never fully go away, but there is always a silver lining if we take the time to look for it.