If there is one daily constant, it’s that change is inevitable—whether we’re riding the waves of a global pandemic or the current of our personal desires, life will eventually move us to upend the status quo.
But we are meant for more. We are built for newness and expansion, though our minds trick us into believing otherwise. That’s why it is difficult to change unless prompted by a major reason: a life-threatening diagnosis, the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship. It’s easier to remain comfortable than to shift gears.
We share stories of reinvention in our annual People Issue, of living one’s passion and answering an inner call to live more authentically. What emerges when we do this is not only a sense of satisfaction and joyfulness, but we become examples for others, inspiring those around us to rise up too.
After more than a decade in communications, Rhonda Rawlings felt called to serve her community in a deeper way. After connecting with Dan Weidenbenner, executive director of Mill Village Ministries, and expressing a desire to transition to nonprofit work, Dan created a position specifically for her—as neighborhood engagement director to promote Village Launch, an initiative to support burgeoning West Greenville entrepreneurs.
Cancer pushed Matt Tebbetts to change his life. When his wife, Carly, was diagnosed, the couple decided to take radical stock of their time, readjusting priorities and putting life-long goals at the fore. Matt’s passion is wine, and in 2017 he created a new professional reality with Mission Grape, a local distributor of premier wines from around the world.
Enzo Hincapie bears the name of cycling royalty. For years, the 13-year-old son of Tour de France legend George Hincapie wasn’t keen on the sport. George didn’t push, however—he invited his son to fall in love with cycling for himself. Now, Enzo is coming into his own as a rider, placing high at national races, finding his cadence as a champion, not in the shadows of his dad and an illustrious cycling cohort, but in the company of them.
These individuals and others in this issue remind us of the benefit of dreaming wildly, acting intentionally, and embracing joy. May you also answer when life comes knocking.
