“Imagine taking the significant moments from your life, distilling them down to the crucial lessons you’ve learned, and sharing these practical and actionable insights so others may benefit. That is what Tori has achieved. I double-dare you to read this amazing book.” —Robert A. Goldberg, founding partner, Organization Insight

“In this insightful and beautifully written book, Tori guides us through her pivotal life lessons, granting us the opportunity to reflect and examine our own challenges and the insights they offer. She emphasizes that we alone determine our responses to events: with self-awareness, emotional accountability, and deliberate choices that shape our future and influence those around us. By separating what we can control from what we can influence, we unlock the freedom to lead ourselves toward a more self-directed life. Tori’s narrative powerfully illustrates that each experience—whether uplifting or challenging—can foster growth if we are willing to learn from the life lessons it offers.” —Karl Kuhnert, PhD, professor of the practice, Goizueta Business School at Emory University

“Tori DaCosta does a masterful job of sharing her honest and vulnerable life journey while provoking readers to reflect on their own life experiences and look for those nuggets of hope. This book is a masterclass in balancing struggle with inspiration, and realness with practical life lessons. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for light in the midst of darkness or hope in a season of hopelessness. Inspiring to the very end!” —Brandon Smith, host, The Workplace Therapist Show; president, The Worksmiths LLC.

“This book gives language and courage to two muscles we all need: saying no and hearing no. With a little humor, a lot of humility, and hard-won wisdom, DaCosta shows us how to release what isn’t ours and own what is. A brave, practical guide for anyone ready to lead with clarity, compassion, and conviction.” —LaTrayl Adams, MS, director of counseling and well-being, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools