When you are rooted in knowing your family and its history, you become something deeper than the present. You begin to understand that your life is part of a much larger story one that didn’t start with you, and one that won’t end with you.

Growing up, I didn’t always understand the importance of knowing where I came from. My parents’ stories were woven with migration, survival, faith, and grit. My mother often shared memories of her childhood on Kaua‘i and the Philippines, her deep connection to her different island homes, and the family ties that carried her through life’s hardest seasons. At the time, I didn’t realize how those stories were shaping the roots beneath my own foott.

Now, as an adult, I see how these roots keep me grounded. They remind me that I am not just the product of my choices, but of the generations before me those who worked the land, raised families through uncertainty, and built hope with their hands. When I know their story, I walk a little taller. I speak with more intention. I carry a sense of belonging that’s stronger than doubt or fear.

In coaching, I often see how people search for meaning in the “what’s next.” But real growth also happens when we pause to look back when we honor the lessons, sacrifices, and resilience that made us who we are. Neuroscience shows that reflection strengthens both memory and identity. The more we connect our present selves with our past, the more grounded and confident we become in shaping our future.

This month, as the holidays approach and family conversations fill the air, take time to listen not just to respond, but to remember. Ask your parents, grandparents, or keiki what they know about your family’s beginnings. You might uncover something that helps you understand yourself in a new way.

Because when you are deeply rooted, you can reach farther. You draw wisdom from the soil of your ancestors. You learn to stand firm through change. And you find peace knowing you are part of something sacred and enduring.

So here’s my challenge for November: reconnect. Call a family member. Write down your favorite story. Pass it on.

Let your roots remind you, you are never alone in your journey.