Right, so I’m seeing a lot of chatter about “high wind warnings” today, and it’s quite interesting, isn’t it? On the surface, it's just weather, a force of nature. But it brings to mind how often we face metaphorical high winds in our own lives, in our work.

It’s easy to get caught up in the urgency, to feel buffeted about, to simply react. That’s fear talking, love. Not wisdom. We see this in leadership all the time – reacting to every gust without a clear anchor. Sheryl often speaks about the difference between urgency and alignment, and this feels like a perfect example.

When the winds pick up, do we panic, or do we check our foundations? Do we secure what matters, or do we chase after everything that’s blowing away? Joy isn’t soft. Joy is the strongest choice you’ll ever make, especially when the external conditions are turbulent. It means choosing deliberately where to place your energy, what to protect, and how to hold steady.

So, when you feel those high winds, literal or otherwise, breathe. Now decide from the part of you that’s steady. What’s truly essential to you, and how will you align with that, no matter the storm?