At any point in life, we have the power to begin again. Not because we have to erase the past, but because we’re allowed to look at it differently—to shift our mindset, adjust our perspective, and write the next chapter with intention. This is the heartbeat of Stephanie H. Malbasa’s reflective work, Musings for Madie—a tender, deeply human exploration of how life’s most profound truths are often found in the way we choose to see.
Stephanie’s journey, rich with wisdom drawn from motherhood, marriage, law, service, sailing, and soul-searching, isn’t a blueprint for perfection—it’s a reminder that we can all pivot, redefine, and grow. Her message is not one of rigid self-help formulas, but of compassionate encouragement: you have the right to rewrite your story. You always have.
Perspective Is Power
One of the most potent lessons in Musings for Madie is that perspective isn’t passive—it’s an active, daily choice. We don’t always get to choose our circumstances, but we always get to choose our outlook. As Stephanie writes, “Life gives us life.” It doesn’t always ask for permission or provide explanations, but it does offer us the chance to see with fresh eyes.
A broken plan isn’t the end—it might be the start of something unimagined. A loss isn’t just grief—it’s also a measure of how deeply we’ve loved. The ordinary isn’t dull—it’s often where the divine lives. When we begin to shift from “Why me?” to “What can I learn?” we unlock something extraordinary: the freedom to move forward with grace.
Rewriting Starts With Reflection
Our story isn’t just built on what happens to us—it’s shaped by what we believe about what happens. Stephanie leans into this truth throughout her musings, often turning to quotes from great thinkers, poets, philosophers, and family members to anchor her insights. Her reflections are a patchwork quilt of voices that gently urge us to pause, consider, and then reframe.
Consider her daily “Golden List”—a gratitude practice that turns the mundane into meaningful. In offering thanks not only for life’s blessings but also for those who challenge her, Stephanie illustrates how mindset can transform discomfort into personal growth. That’s the power of reflection. We don’t change our story by pretending everything is fine—we rewrite it by understanding what we feel, and deciding what comes next.
The Mindset Shift: From Surviving to Thriving
Stephanie reminds us that thriving is not about having it all together—it’s about moving forward even when we don’t. “Live to the point of tears,” she writes, echoing the words of Camus. Whether those tears are from laughter, loss, or awe, they mark a life deeply felt. To thrive, then, is to be engaged. To be present. To be vulnerable and willing.
The shift in mindset from survival to joy begins when we start treating each moment as an opportunity, not a test. When we stop living by someone else’s expectations and instead ask, “What do I need to feel whole?” When we allow ourselves the grace to be imperfect, evolving, and worthy of joy now, not later.
Letting Go of What Was—Embracing What Is
“Plans and goals are wonderful,” Stephanie reflects, “but life gives us life.” In other words, clinging too tightly to the script can blind us to the beauty of the improvisation. Whether it’s a career that changes direction, a family dynamic that evolves, or a long-held dream that no longer fits, rewriting your story requires release.
To let go of what we thought our life should be is to make room for what our life can become. This takes courage—and faith. Faith in ourselves, in our strength, in the unfolding journey. Faith that the next page might just surprise us with something better than we planned.
You Are the Author of Your Becoming
There’s a quote Stephanie shares by Epictetus: “First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” It’s simple. Bold. Empowering. At its core, it’s an invitation to own your story—not just the past chapters, but the unwritten ones ahead.
What do you want to become? What perspective must you nurture to get there? What thoughts will you allow to take root, and which limiting beliefs will you let go of?
To rewrite your story isn’t to deny the past. It’s to honor it as a foundation, and then build on it with wisdom, imagination, and intention. Stephanie’s life offers a glowing example: decades of evolving roles, shifting seasons, and daring reinventions—all made possible through a mindset of curiosity, gratitude, and quiet strength.
Begin Again, With Grace
The beauty of rewriting your story is that you don’t need permission. You just need to begin. With one small choice, one new habit, one powerful reframing. Perhaps it’s seeing yourself as capable. Perhaps it’s deciding to forgive, to heal, to learn something new. Maybe it’s simply choosing joy in the middle of a messy, beautiful day.
As Musings for Madie so eloquently reminds us, you are not finished yet. Your life is still unfolding. And with every thought, every choice, and every shift in perspective—you’re writing something magnificent.