Tag: women writers

Your Story Is Still Unfolding (And So Is Mine)

Why this Life Untapped blog is becoming Still Unfolding—and what it means for you

Twenty years.

That’s how long I’ve been showing up as “Life Untapped.”

Twenty years of writing, speaking, sharing stories, and encouraging you to discover the relevance in your own narrative. Twenty years of believing that potential exists in all of us—waiting to be discovered, activated, lived.

And it’s been beautiful.

“Life Untapped” has been the perfect metaphor to highlight how within each of us lies something powerful—an abundant life just waiting to be accessed, unlocked, released.

And while that remains true, what’s also factual is that our efforts to thrive through life’s ups and downs, and our still-present hopes and dreams, are worth honoring at every age and stage.

As I’ve grown—through writing 12 books, navigating my own pivots, listening to your stories, and deepening my understanding of transformation—I’ve realized something:

Our quest isn’t just about discovering potential that we’ve left dormant or untapped (although this IS part of it); it can also be about summoning the courage to keep going and to keep saying “yes” to ourselves.

What speaks to your heart? What tugs at you? What will you regret not doing because of what society or those around you declared you “should” be doing instead?

Over the years, as I’ve connected with others who’ve navigated career changes, relationship shifts, grief journeys, health challenges and more (and gone through shifts myself) —I’ve recognized a recurring reality:

Our stories aren’t static potential waiting to be tapped.

Life is an ongoing process of becoming.

You (we) are unfolding—slowly, imperfectly, beautifully—into versions of ourselves that we may not even realize are possible.

Unfolding never stops.

Not at 30. Not at 50. Not at 70.

Still Unfolding is about giving ourselves permission to be in process—forever.

It means:

  • Growth is lifelong. There’s no finish line where you finally have it all figured out.
  • You’re not behind. The timeline you imagined for your life isn’t the only valid one. Your unfolding is happening exactly as it should.
  • Pivots aren’t failures. They’re part of the process. Every turn, every detour, every unexpected chapter is shaping you.
  • Your best experiences may still be ahead. Age doesn’t diminish possibility. Some of the most transformative chapters come later than we expected.
  • You’re allowed to evolve. The person you were five years ago — even a year ago — doesn’t have to be the person you are now. Change isn’t betrayal—it’s honoring the present with the gift of all you’ve become thus far.

What’s Changing

As of today, Life Untapped is becoming Still Unfolding.

Here’s what that means practically:

✨ Still Unfolding is how you’ll see me reference my work instead of Life Untapped on a regular basis. However, my focus will still be transformation, inspiration, life transitions and encouraging you to keep becoming.

✨ Life Untapped will still be used occasionally, because it still reflects part of our unfolding journey – so you’ll still occasionally see my hashtag, and one of the categories of this blog will be Life Untapped Living.

This Blog:

🌐 The URL is changing: LifeUntapped.com → StillUnfolding.com

📝 ALL content remains: Every blog post, every category, every resource you’ve relied on stays exactly where it is. Nothing is being deleted. The archive is intact.

Here’s what also stays the same:

✅ My commitment to you. This has always been about authentic connection, and that remains unchanged.

✅ My belief that your story and your journey matter.

✅ Content designed to inspire, inform and uplift you.

If you’ve been here for years, thank you for reading my blog posts and other social media content, and thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey.

If you’re new here, welcome! You’ve arrived at exactly the right time.

Together, let’s step into our unfolding and have a blast. Let’s remind each other: We’re all still unfolding.

P.S. If you’re not already on my author email list (which is different from this blog post subscription), now’s a great time to join me in both places! In addition to my occasional blog posts here, on every Monday I send a brief message of encouragement straight to your email inbox—and you’ll be the first to know about my TV appearances, events and everything Still Unfolding. Subscribe here.

Gratitude is an Attitude You Can Define

For every opportunity there is to complain, 

hold a grudge,

or judge without knowing the whole story, 

there is an equal opportunity to

let go, adapt and expand.

Be grateful for experiences that can 

strengthen your wisdom and empathy,

and help you grow in grace, joy and hope. 

You are the best possible person to be you – no need to imitate or compare yourself to others or judge their life’s journey.

Be grateful to be alive and to able to try your best another day. 

Release and Receive

In these first few days of November, consider releasing what no longer serves you.

Those unhelpful habits or outdated clothes? Let them go.

That doubt, fear or hesitation? Bid it goodbye. 

Those dreamcrushers in your circle or wishy-washy connections? Bless and release them.

And then?

Since the clutter has been released, may you appreciate the beauty and boldness of purpose within you, and embrace all the good your mind, your heart and your arms now have the space to hold. 

Hold Your Life’s Pen

Decide this week to live and love with abandon, celebrate the good around you, and embrace challenges as opportunities to strengthen your ability to walk in the truth and beauty of who you are.

Everyone can’t or won’t understand your journey or your heart, and only you can script an accurate version of your story.

Hold the pen to your life and do just that, with compassion, grace and joy.


“A (person’s) judgment of another depends more on the one judging and on that person’s passions, than on the one being judged and on his/ her conduct.” (Paul Tournier)

Exude light and love no matter what, and the overflow can’t help but bless others.

I Almost Turned Back

While traveling to Guatemala City for a work-related trip about six weeks ago, I almost turned back. 

An expected five-hour layover in my connecting airport on my travel day in early July turned into an additional 11-hour flight delay. This meant I spent 16 hours roaming the airport (before the airline eventually cancelled the flight altogether, just after midnight).

Amid the waiting to see when the flight would leave came news that a fairly significant earthquake had rumbled through the country 24 hours earlier. 

While my colleagues who are based in Guatemala were moving forward with business as usual (small earthquakes are the norm; this bigger 5.7 magnitude one didn’t rattle them), I was wondering whether the delays and the shaking earth were signs to reschedule the trip.

Just as I had that thought, a team member who was traveling separately to meet us there let me know she had boarded her flight. When I asked her if the doors had closed and her “yes” meant she couldn’t quickly deplane, I took that as a sign that we were all meant to trust our faith (so grateful for the prayers that were surrounding us!) and our Guatemalan colleagues’ assurances that all would be fine. 

I decided on a Plan B for a quick departure if necessary, and we moved forward. 

Within an hour of landing the next day and meeting our calm-natured colleague “A,” and being escorted to our hotel in the heart of Guatemala City, I knew we’d be okay. 

A few days later, when we reached the beautiful city of Antigua and were greeted with gorgeous views of the mountains and a “behaving” live volcano, and warm-hearted people that included other wonderful colleagues, my U.S.-based team and I nodded at each other: Pushing through the delays, the uncomfortable unknowns of what awaited us, and keeping our storytelling mission top of mind had paid off.

The gift of these views and the meaningful connections made, even before our formal work began, had stretched us. 

We grew individually, bonded as a team, and grounded ourselves in the mantra our organization’s leader often utters: We can do hard things well.

The overarching reminder for me as a person of faith? God really does have His hand on us at every turn, and even in stressful times, His presence is evident, if we’ll look for and recognize the signs.  

The overarching lesson/reminder for my team and me?

When you persist through whatever challenges you may encounter, there are often rewards beyond measure on the other side of your yes.

We’ll never forget the beauty of the people, nor the place, nor the power that comes from the PUSH (Persisting Until Something Happens). I believe each of us is better because of it. 

Stacy Hawkins Adams in Antigua, Guatemala

Decide

Right now…

Decide you’re worth it and make the most of this week before you.

Ask the hard questions that will get you closer to the authenticity you seek to embrace.  

Live the soft life that will give you experiences and memories to cherish. 

Push a new boundary. 

Pull yourself up from whatever has weighed you down.

Hold onto goodness.

Let every thing not good for you find other settling places.

Share this post with a friend or two who’ll join you on this journey to better. 

Then decide to do it – 

breath by breath, 

choice by choice, 

step by step. 

You’ve got this!

Your Personal Masterpiece

It’s your choice whether to risk the lack of comfort that comes with living fully or to play it safe and end up with a list of “What ifs?”

Be willing to do the work to create your personal masterpiece. 

This will be the memories you someday cherish most, and perhaps, your legacy. It just may offer a roadmap, and a nudge, for generations that follow you.

A Lesson in Joy and Possibility

I attended a cookout over the weekend with great people, good food and lots of line dancing.

We enjoyed ourselves, with fans in hands, boots on the ground, and joyful laughter as we moved to the music. 

And then, before the evening ended, a beautiful little girl I did not know, perhaps 6 or 7 years old, joined the adults who had carved out space for themselves in front of the DJ.

She danced like no one was watching (although dozens of us were). 

She twisted and swayed, put a hand on her hip and even fit in a few squats and dips, all under the watchful eyes of her parents, while surrounded by a group fellow dancers – “aunties” who cheered her on with smiles and claps, over several songs. 

Even the DJ felt inspired by her freedom of spirit and movement.

“Dance doll baby!” he finally declared, then deadpanned to all of us watching: “She’s gonna fall asleep the minute she gets in the car for the ride home!”

We chuckled at the likelihood of that truth, but what struck me even more was the truth of possibilities her impromptu performance inspired. 

To witness this little brown princess own her right to be herself, enjoy herself and embrace the support that surrounded her was a beautiful gift on the day known as Independence Day.

Who knows what she’ll grow up to do or who she’ll become, but if she holds onto the confidence and love that is clearly already instilled within her, and if a community of support continues to surround her (loved ones and strangers alike), her heart’s dreams can transition into her lived purpose.

She was a dancing, smiling, twinkle-eyed representation of who we all can be – regardless of age or stage – with just the right elements feeding our souls and with our willingness to give the best of ourselves to others.

Perhaps we can be more intentional these days about filling our inner wells in this way – and becoming that gift to others?? 

You Be the GOAT

This week, pay attention to how you enter, serve while there, and exit a space or place.

Regardless of the energy you encounter from others, keep your joy and your essence of grace in tact. 

Instead of letting someone’s not-so-great attitude shift yours, you stir the atmosphere. 

May your presence…. 

offer light, 

heal hearts,

model integrity,

embody love,

foster peace,

inspire hope,

ignite laughter,

exemplify courage,

gift some grace. 

You be the GOAT (greatest of all time) in the lives of those you touch in ways that simply require you to be authentically you.

Surrender to Your Leap

Sometimes our dreams are so big that we tiptoe to the edge of them, then shrink away. 

But what if we had the courage to actually follow where they lead? 

To consider how leaning into them and falling forward allows the wind to buoy us and keep us afloat?

To trust the lessons we’ll learn, the people we’ll form bonds with and the experiences that will shape us as our divine birthright?

What if we loved ourselves- and those in our care – enough to surrender to this way of being and to taking the leap?

Wow…just wow. Wouldn’t our lives be a wonder?

Photo credit: Emily Abrams