This is confession. This is a call to action. This is a love story.
We all know her. Because that girl comes in many forms. She exaggerates the truth. She gossips. She’s wildly insecure. She’s sharp-tongued when angry. She’s unbearably uptight, toxically positive, unreliable, superficial, petty, vain, overindulgent, negative, envious, or one to hold grudges!!!! (Breathe)
She’s that girl who… (please insert any flawed, and moral shortcoming).
You see, that girl… is also a 360-degree, full-color, fearfully and wonderfully made woman, imperfect in her human experience, who needs your grace (whether she knows it or not).
How do I know? Because I am that girl. Maybe not all day, every day. And maybe I don’t struggle with what she struggles with. But I am that girl often enough to recognize her when she shows up. And I hate her!
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: It’s far easier to point out the flaws in that girl, than it is to confront her within ourselves. Jesus asks us, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own?” (Matthew 7:3)
This isn’t a cry for ignoring wrongdoing. It’s a call to address it with love, not superiority. Because judgment without grace doesn’t heal, it hardens. And correction without compassion doesn’t restore, it divides.
In relationships, the cycle continues when we shame what should be redeemed. When we withhold grace because we’ve forgotten how desperately we rely on it ourselves. It is only a matter of time before you and I are the ones who need that same grace, when the roles reverse. Before a moment in our flesh meets someone else’s mercy. I am learning to build emotional equity, so when it is my turn to fall from grace, I have a soft place to land.
This is my call to action: Let’s interrupt the cycle, because we never know who made the first cut. Let’s choose love over gossip, humility over self-righteousness, and restoration over reputation. Because when we stop moral shortcomings with love, we don’t lower the standard- we finally live up to it. And when we extend grace to that girl, we may just find that we’re extending it to ourselves.
Note to self,
Tristan Evans
Insurance Advisors:
Choose Someone You Trust
Why it is paramount that you choose an insurance professional that you trust?
I asked Chat GPT what the top questions people are searching for regarding Property and Casualty Insurance. Here were the top 5:
What does my insurance actually cover?
What insurance does my business need?
Why is my insurance so expensive? / Why did my premium increase?
How much insurance do I actually need?
Does insurance cover _____, if I file a claim?
When securing property and casualty insurance (commercial or personal), trust MUST be reciprocal. Markets are not static and the industry is constantly evolving. Find an advisor who you can have a transparent relationship with; someone you can ask questions. Watch how empowered you become when that relationship is mutually beneficial.
Book Recommendations
'The 8th Habit''by Stephen Covey
Being effective as individuals and organizations is no longer merely an option—it’s a requirement for survival. But in order to thrive, innovate, excel, and lead in what Covey calls the “New Knowledge Worker Age,” we must build on and move beyond effectiveness.
'The Mastery of Love' by Don Miguel Ruiz
Inspirational stories to impart the wisdom of the three Toltec masteries - Awareness, Transformation, and Love. The book examines the common fallacies that can undermine love and shows listeners how to gain wisdom, sidestep fear, and end the war of control with their partners.
The Law of Large Numbers
Insurance relies on the Law of Large Numbers, which says that when enough similar risks are pooled together, total losses become predictable even though individual outcomes are not.
Translation: Your premium isn’t just about your behavior. It’s about the behavior of everyone you’re grouped with. So, while your personal loss history matters, it is only one data point in a much larger group.
Homeowner's Insurance:
Sudden & Accidental Freeze Damage
The Incident
During a February deep freeze, a homeowner in North Texas lost power overnight. With the heat down, interior temperatures fell below freezing. A copper supply line inside a wall froze and burst. When temperatures rose and water service was restored, the broken pipe released water into the kitchen and living room, causing significant flooding.
The Claim
The homeowner filed a claim for sudden, accidental water damage originating from a pipe located within the insured structure. Coverage applied because the loss was not caused by long-term neglect or wear-and-tear, and the homeowner had taken reasonable precautions to maintain heat (the heat was on before the outage)
The Result
Insurance paid for repairs and related costs, including:
Water damage to drywall, flooring, and cabinets
Tear-out and repair of the wall to access and fix the pipe
Mold remediation
Temporary living expenses while the home was being repaired
Key policy principle: Freezing can be a covered peril when it leads to sudden water damage, and the homeowner exercised reasonable care to maintain heat.
Tania Allen | Co-Owner
J&J Assistant Services
Tania Allen, owner of J&J, a virtual assistant service based in Weatherford, TX. After experiencing burnout from running a cleaning business, she transitioned into the virtual assistant industry to create a sustainable income while maintaining the flexibility needed to support and be present for her family.
One of the most defining moments in Tania’s career was realizing that not every client is the right fit. She had to make the tough decision to end a working relationship when boundaries were repeatedly crossed. That moment changed how she operated. She became more selective, more confident in setting expectations, and more protective of the standards she holds for her work. Allowing her to build stronger, healthier client relationships and do better work overall.
"Fear is always going to be there, especially when you’re doing something new or uncomfortable. The key is not letting it stop you."
Tania works from home, creating greater balance between her professional and personal life. She prioritizes self-care, setting aside time for regular massage therapy appointments and pursuing hobbies. By embracing failure as a learning opportunity and defining success as having both a life and a career, Tania shares, “Treat failures as lessons, adjust, and move forward. If you don’t quit, you’re already ahead of most people.”
